Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that Turkey is proposing to end all restrictions on Cyprus.
Gul made the remark at Esenboga Airport upon his return from a trip to Finland, the next rotating EU presidency.
About statements by Turkish Parliamentary EU Adjustment Commission Chairman Yasar Yakis on opening Turkish ports to Greek Cypriots, Gul reiterated that the Customs Union works with 25 members of the European Union (EU) and Turkey.
In an interview with the Kibris (Cyprus) daily published in Northern Cyprus on Tuesday, Yakis said that it is possible to open ports and airports without recognizing the Greek Cypriot administration.
Yakis said, "opening of ports and airports in Turkey does not mean recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration. Turkey is determined not to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration before resolution of the Cyprus issue."
"It seems that the EU will put pressure on Turkey to put the additional protocol into force. However, Turkey can not accept anything that will negatively affect interests of the northern Cyprus. Our government has been working hard to find a creative way of dealing with the issue," he said.
Meanwhile, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Tuesday in Rome that if Ankara does not fulfill requirements, European negotiators are ready to "put on the brake."
"Negotiations may be cut off on extraordinary circumstances, as it is stated in Turkey's framework document. For instance, in cases of violation of human rights or basic rights, negotiations will be cut off," Rehn said.
Rehn pointed out that the Customs Union Additional Protocol must get ratified by the Turkish parliament, saying, "This issue involves the Greek Cypriots. Unless the Turkish parliament ratifies the additional protocol, going ahead in negotiations will not be possible."
In July, Turkey signed a protocol with the EU to extend its customs union to 10 new EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, a demand by the EU to open entry talks.
But at the same time, Turkey issued a declaration, saying its signature of the customs union did not mean its recognition of the republic and Ankara refused to open its ports and airports to Cyprus.
Greece, Britain and Turkey are seen as three guarantor powers for the independence of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkey sent troops to the Turkish Cypriot north to foil an Athens-backed Greek Cypriot coup seeking union with Greece.
The Greek Cypriot government in the south, internationally recognized, joined the EU in 2004 on behalf of the whole island. The northern part is only recognized by Ankara.
The latest efforts to reunite the island failed in April 2004 when the Greek Cypriots rejected a UN plan while the Turkish Cypriots approved it.
Source: Xinhua
Gul made the remark at Esenboga Airport upon his return from a trip to Finland, the next rotating EU presidency.
About statements by Turkish Parliamentary EU Adjustment Commission Chairman Yasar Yakis on opening Turkish ports to Greek Cypriots, Gul reiterated that the Customs Union works with 25 members of the European Union (EU) and Turkey.
In an interview with the Kibris (Cyprus) daily published in Northern Cyprus on Tuesday, Yakis said that it is possible to open ports and airports without recognizing the Greek Cypriot administration.
Yakis said, "opening of ports and airports in Turkey does not mean recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration. Turkey is determined not to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration before resolution of the Cyprus issue."
"It seems that the EU will put pressure on Turkey to put the additional protocol into force. However, Turkey can not accept anything that will negatively affect interests of the northern Cyprus. Our government has been working hard to find a creative way of dealing with the issue," he said.
Meanwhile, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Tuesday in Rome that if Ankara does not fulfill requirements, European negotiators are ready to "put on the brake."
"Negotiations may be cut off on extraordinary circumstances, as it is stated in Turkey's framework document. For instance, in cases of violation of human rights or basic rights, negotiations will be cut off," Rehn said.
Rehn pointed out that the Customs Union Additional Protocol must get ratified by the Turkish parliament, saying, "This issue involves the Greek Cypriots. Unless the Turkish parliament ratifies the additional protocol, going ahead in negotiations will not be possible."
In July, Turkey signed a protocol with the EU to extend its customs union to 10 new EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, a demand by the EU to open entry talks.
But at the same time, Turkey issued a declaration, saying its signature of the customs union did not mean its recognition of the republic and Ankara refused to open its ports and airports to Cyprus.
Greece, Britain and Turkey are seen as three guarantor powers for the independence of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkey sent troops to the Turkish Cypriot north to foil an Athens-backed Greek Cypriot coup seeking union with Greece.
The Greek Cypriot government in the south, internationally recognized, joined the EU in 2004 on behalf of the whole island. The northern part is only recognized by Ankara.
The latest efforts to reunite the island failed in April 2004 when the Greek Cypriots rejected a UN plan while the Turkish Cypriots approved it.
Source: Xinhua
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