EU Reaches Common Position On Turkey

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

25 April 2005

The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated last week that after intense discussions and deliberations between the Permanent Representatives of the 25 EU member states at the recent meeting of the EU Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), a common position on Turkey was agreed which will be presented at the EU-Turkey Association Council on Tuesday, April 26, 2005.

The Ministry noted that: “Cyprus achieved for the first time the inclusion of a reference for the implementation of the Protocol expanding the Ankara Agreement (Customs Union) to cover all new EU member-states, as a step towards the normalisation of Turkey's relations with all member states, including the Republic of Cyprus."

"Moreover Cyprus achieved for the first time the inclusion of a reference to the normalisation of Turkey’s bilateral relations with all member-states, including the Republic of Cyprus.”

According to the government statement, in the common position it is announced that the EU looks forward to Turkey’s continuous support for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the framework of the United Nations and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded.

Furthermore, the EU points out the need for Turkey to implement fully and quickly European Court of Human Rights decisions, and to change its policy of obstructing Cyprus's participation in various international organisations.

It also calls on Turkey to terminate its restrictions on vessels under the Cyprus flag or on Cypriot vessels approaching Turkish ports.

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