Ankara Reacts Against EU Report on Cyprus

The European Union (EU) Commission, with its Strategy Paper and Progress Report released on 9 October 2002, has advised the EU Council to finalize the unilateral accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot Administration as well as the other nine candidate countries and to sign the accession agreement with the Greek Cypriot side in spring, 2003.

Turkey deems it useful to bring the following to the attention of EU member states and the international community regarding the aforesaid documents and the repercussions that will ensue.

1. Turkey at every stage brought to the attention of the EU organs, EU member states as well as the UN that the unilateral and illegitimate EU full-membership process of the Greek Cypriot Administration constitutes to be a violation of the 1959-60 agreements. As;

* The 1959 Zurich and London Agreements stipulate that Cyprus cannot join international organizations or pacts of alliance of which both Turkey and Greece are not members.

* Also, the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee contains the provision that Cyprus cannot participate, in whole or in part, in any political or economic union with any State whatsoever.

2. Turkey has always supported the efforts under the mission of good offices of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General (UNSG) directed towards finding a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus question.

This is also valid for the direct talks which has started upon the initiative of H.E Mr. Rauf Denktaş, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

This process is still continuing. President Denktaş has made constructive proposals with a view to moving the process forward and in this context introduced his 29 April 2002 and 11 September 2002 comprehensive proposals.

Recently The setting up of two committees was decided during the meeting of the UNSG with the two leaders on 3-4 October 2002 in New York.

The UNSG forsaw as the aim of the direct negotiation process the establishment of a new partnership based on the political equality and equal status of the two sides, whereby neither side can claim sovereignty over the other. He has also envisaged that the comprehensive reconciliation should be submitted to the approval of the two peoples in the Island through separate referenda and be based on an international treaty.

3. As yet, the processing of the unilateral application of the Greek Cypriot side by the EU since 1990 remains as the main obstacle in reaching a lasting settlement.

Hence, the Greek Cypriot side has not felt the need to come up with any meaningful opening or substantial proposal for a settlement due to its expectation for accession to the EU as a full member.

4. On the other hand, these documents are also in contradiction with the approach of the EU Helsinki Summit of 1999 whereby it was decided that "all relevant factors" will be considered regarding the Greek Cypriot accession to the EU.

By doing so, the Commission ignores the existence of the TRNC, the two equal co-owner peoples in the Island and the principle of equality which constitutes the basis of a solution to the Cyprus question. This understanding is not acceptable to us. If the recommendation of the Commission is implemented before reaching a settlement in Cyprus, then:

* The political and strategic balance established with 1959-60 Treaties between the two sides and also between Turkey and Greece in Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean will be impaired.

* The longstanding aim of the Greek Cypriot Administration for unification with Greece will be indirectly achieved through the EU in which Turkey and TRNC are not present.

* The direct talks tried to be advanced by the efforts of the Turkish side and the UN Secretary General will be endangered.

5. Without taking into account the international agreements, the European Union is not entitled to take unilateral decisions regarding the future of the Island of Cyprus.

In accordance with the above legal and political considerations, Turkey expects the EU Council not to make a historical mistake by relying on the relevant Commission reports, but to adopt a constructive approach contributing to the settlement process. (NM)