Turkey "saddened" over EU counter-declaration on Cyprus issue

Turkey said on Thursday that it was saddened over a European Union's counter-declaration which called for Turkey's recognition of the Republic of Cyprus during its EU accession process.

"We are saddened over EU's declaration on Sept. 21, 2005. This one-sided and politically-motivated declaration could weaken the UN process regarding Cyprus," Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan said in a written statement.

The declaration did not conform to the spirit of cooperation between the EU and Turkey, said Tan, noting that it "contains some unjust overtures, as well as new elements."

"It is impossible for Turkey to share this position," he added.

Turkey is responding to a EU counter-declaration issued on Wednesday, stressing that recognizing all member states is a necessary component of the accession talks slated for Oct. 3.

Turkey stated on many occasions that it would fulfill its obligations stemming from Ankara Agreement and the additional protocol and apply this to all member countries without making discrimination, Tan said.

The EU, the spokesman said, should actively support the mission of the UN Secretary General who tries to make possible a comprehensive solution on Cyprus, and contribute to elaboration of a climate and condition that will facilitate the solution process.

After days of debates, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU (COREPER) on Wednesday issued a declaration calling Ankara to recognize Cyprus.

It also requested that Turkey should apply the Customs Union agreement without discriminating among EU member states, adding that the bloc would review Ankara's implementation of its obligations next year.

Ankara signed the additional protocol extending its customs union to cover 10 new EU member states in July, including Cyprus. However, Turkey insisted that its signature to the deal doesn't amount to recognition of Nicosia.

This declaration triggered strong condemnation from Cyprus, which threatened to block Turkey's entry talks, for the start of the accession talks need a unanimous agreement among the 25-nation bloc on a negotiating mandate.

Cyprus has been divided into Greek Cypriot south and Turkish Cypriot north since 1974 when Turkish troops entered the northern third of the island in the wake of an abortive Greek Cypriot coup seeking union with Greece.

Turkey is the only country recognizing the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, where it maintains some 35,000 troops.

The internationally recognized south Cyprus joined the EU on May 1, 2004, after it rejected UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's reunification blueprint in a referendum.

Source: Xinhua