Cyprus may block Turkey’s EU talks over ships, minister says
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
LIMASSOL - Bloomberg
Greek Cyprus might block Turkey's accession talks with the European Union if the government in Ankara maintains its embargo on Greek Cypriot ships, according to Erato Kozakou-Markoulli, Greek Cypriot minister of communications and public works.
Cyprus will consider obstructing other negotiation areas, in addition to the eight blocked by the EU in 2006, if Turkey doesn't open its ports to traffic from Cyprus, she said in an interview in Limassol, Cyprus on Friday.
"Now there are two or three chapters that may be opened," said Kozakou-Markoulli, who was foreign minister in 2007 and 2008. "It is therefore up to Turkey whether its accession course can further proceed."
Kozakou-Markoulli also said Cyprus won't agree to grant Turkish Cypriots the right to conduct trade internationally even if Turkey lifts its embargo on Cypriot vessels.
"We would not accept such an agreement under any circumstances," she said. "These two issues are completely unrelated. Turkey has responsibilities vis-à-vis the European Union, especially after Turkey started its accession negotiations in 2005. And there is no relation to the closed ports or airports of the Republic of Cyprus in the occupied areas."
«« back ««