‘LONDON THREATENS WITH RECOGNITION OF TRNC’

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
October 7 2005

The launch of Turkey’s talks with the European Union (EU) continues
to receive widespread media coverage in Europe.

A story appeared in Greek Cypriot newspaper Fileleftheros, with
the headline “Rapprochement Through Pressure,” saying that Britain
is blackmailing the Greek Cypriots “politically” to recognize the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in dense lobbying activities
in Luxembourg.

Britain has pressured more on the authority of the Greek Cyprus to
emasculate the importance of talks regarding Turkey’s responsibilities
towards the Greek Cypriots in accordance with the Negotiation Framework
Document through the enlightening statement of the presidency, it
was claimed.

The newspaper also reported that with pressures increasing after
an agreement was reached with Austria, the Greek Cypriot authority
feared that it might be left alone; therefore, it agreed to the
“enlightening statement” of Britain.

In the meantime, Armenian hopes have risen for the opening of Armenia’s
border with Turkey and the acknowledgement of the Armenian allegations
after Turkey was allowed to negotiate with the EU.

The Armenian opinion of the negotiation start is that Turkey will
feel compelled to open its borders with Armenia as soon as possible,
said Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamlet Gasparyan. Turkey
closed its borders with Armenia when Armenian forces occupied almost
20 percent of neighbouring Azerbaijan. Yerevan has nýt withdrawn
its forces despite of the EU’s and OSEC’s warnings. Armenian does
not recognise Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s natinal borders. Turkish
Government has made many efforts to establish a dialogue with Yerevan,
yet the Armenian side has strongly rejected all offers.

–Boundary_(ID_j29OA4QPRvssBfuC9ZgGww)–