New Row Erupts Between Turkey And EU Over Cyprus

by Lorys Charalambous, for LawAndTax-News.com, Cyprus

10 October 2005

Despite the commencement last week of accession talks between Turkey and the European Union, tensions remain high over the former's delaying tactics regarding a recently signed customs agreement.

Although Turkey signed the agreement, it added a proviso stating that its signature did not imply recognition of the Greek Cypriot government of Cyprus, meaning that it will not necessarily abide by the requirement that it stop blocking Cypriot planes and ships from its territory.

The EU's responded in a counter-declaration stating that it would be necessary for Turkey to take that step before the relevant chapter of accession negotiations is opened, and that Turkey's compliance with the protocol would be assessed in 2006.

EU Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn stated during a visit to Turkey last week that the EU now expects the Turkish authorities to ratify the agreement "without delay and in good faith". And the European Parliament has suspended European ratification of the deal, citing concerns over Turkey's commitment to it.

However, Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has responded that "there's no need to rush" to ratify the agreement, and has called on the EU to first open up trade to Northern Cyprus, and to release a financial aid package to the Turkish-occupied sector of the Island, which is currently being blocked by the Greek Cypriot government.

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