Cyprus Stands Firm Over Turkish Demands

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

23 October 2006

Speaking last week as he departed for an informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government in Helsinki, Greek Cypriot President, Tassos Papadopoulos stood firm over Turkey's demands for concessions in its accession talks with the European Commission.

President Papadopoulos told journalists that:

“Turkey is declaring repeatedly that it cannot implement its obligations towards the European Union, concerning the signing of the Ankara Protocol, if the so-called ‘financial isolation of the Turkish Cypriots’ is not lifted."

"The Finnish Presidency is exchanging ideas with all interested parties so as to help Turkey implement its obligations towards Europe. This constitutes an effort to help Turkey and surely, the Cyprus Republic cannot be called on to pay the price of that help."

"In order for that assistance to be given to Turkey, we set as an inviolable condition the return of the fenced-off town of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants and land owners."

He continued:

"I reiterate that especially on the issue of the return of Famagusta, there is the agreement between the late President Kyprianou and Mr Denktash, which explicitly states that priority should be given to the return of Famagusta irrespective of the final outcome of the then planned negotiations."

The President concluded:

"If, according to Turkey, the return of Famagusta is a matter that will be resolved through a settlement, our answer is simple and the same applies for the legalisation of ports and the Famagusta port in particular. Turkey cannot choose by preference what issues will be solved at the end of the procedure and what can be discussed now."

"If the issue of reopening the Famagusta port under EU supervision will be discussed, the same applies and for the return of Famagusta. If Turkey does not want to accept the help the EU offers, that is a problem of Turkey”.

Recommended