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The
following three days will mark the course of
relations between the European Union and Turkey.
BRUSSELS - Ties between Turkey and the
European Union face a tough test over the next three
days, with a series of meetings of representatives
of the bloc’s member states set to chart the course
of Ankara’s accession process.
A meeting of the EU’s Permanent Representatives (COREPER)
starting on Wednesday and the informal meeting of
Foreign Ministers on September 1-2 will both discuss
Turkey’s position of not recognising the Greek
Cypriot state as part of its signing of an expanded
customs unions deal for new members of the bloc and
the frame work for negotiations between the EU and
Turkey.
The meeting of COREPER is serving as a preliminary
to the foreigner ministers’ meeting in Newport in
England starting Thursday. Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul will attend the second day of the
meetings in England.
It has been reported that France, with the possible
support of countries such as Austria and Denmark,
might try to have a statement issued by the meeting
that Turkey should not begin accession negotiations
but offered a privileged partnership included. This
idea is opposed by EU term president England as well
as and Italy, Spain, Greece and the Greek Cypriot
Administration.
Although heated debate on the question of Turkey’s
membership bid has been foreseen at these meetings
experts do not expect a surprise or negative
outcome.
www.ntvmsnbc.com
The issue of Turkey in the EU -
MPA Greece
Brussels, 31 August. The permanent
representatives of the EU member states in their
meeting will decide on the stance the EU will adopt
toward the unilateral statement by Turkey according
to which it does not recognize the Cypriot Republic.
The statement accompanied the documents signed by
Ankara for the expansion of Turkey's customs union
with the EU to include the 10 new EU member states.
The British EU Presidency has allegedly suggested
issuing a statement to Turkey calling it to lift the
statement on Cyprus while other countries, among
them France, appear to be calling for pressures to
be exerted on Ankara.
The Greek government aims at the solution of the
problems created by the statement in question,
stated Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis clarifying
that the Greek position on Turkey's European course
remains firm.
www.mpa.gr
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