Zaman, Turkey
Dec 4 2004

EP President: Turkey must Recognize Greek Cypriot Administration

While in Ankara two weeks before the European Union (EU)’s December
17th summit, when the EU will decide whether to invite Turkey to
begin full membership negotiations, president of the European
Parliament (EP), Josep Borrell, told Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and the spokesperson for the Turkish Parliament,
Bulent Arinc, that Turkey should recognize the Greek Cypriot
Administration if it wishes to start full membership negotiations
with the European Union (EU).

Borrell travelled to Ankara to discuss a draft resolution about
Turkey that the EP Commission on Foreign Affairs had prepared.
Borrell underscored a report by Camiel Eurlings, the EP’s reporter on
Turkey reporter, which contains specific passages calling for Turkey
to recognize Greek Cyprus.

He said: “Negotiations with the EU finally means recognizing the
counter side and will include a recognition of Cyprus as well. This
is the main component, on which the Commission is currently studying
and the decision will also include.”

Borrell added that there are efforts within the EU Council to
overturn the trade embargo on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC).

While speaking at a joint press conference, Erdogan reiterated his
expectation that the December 17th summit will end in a positive
decision, opening the way for Turkey to begin membership negotiations
in the first half of 2005.

Erdogan and Borrell also discussed the recent demands to reopen the
border with Armenia. Erdogan said that there are four flights per
week into Armenia, even though Yerevan does not recognize the 1921
Kars agreement, which was signed between Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Armenia.

12.04.2004
Foreign News Services
Istanbul