Greek Cypriots welcome EU-Turkey talks

The Greek Cypriot administration on Tuesday welcomed the outcome of the EU-Turkey Association Council, where the bloc praised resumption of reunification talks on the island, and Turkish ministers called for a permanent solution to the decades-long dispute.

Following the EU-Turkey Association Council meeting on Monday, the EU agreed to continue to give "full, resolute and practical support to the efforts of U.N. Secretary-General [Ban Ki- moon's] Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, to make real progress on this essential matter in the coming weeks and months."

The EU's conclusion stated that "Turkey's commitment and contribution in concrete terms to such a comprehensive settlement remains crucial."
Greek Cypriot administration spokesman Nicos Christodoulides reportedly said, "The fact that Turkey wants to continue its accession course is something important, something that runs through Nicosia, and it is something that we want. We believe that this whole process will take steps in the direction of the EU and steps toward resolving the Cyprus problem."

The EU council meeting was chaired by Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the Turkish foreign minister. He was accompanied by Volkan Bozkır, the minister for EU Affairs and chief negotiator. Edgars Rinkevics, the minister for Foreign Affairs for Latvia, led the EU delegation on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. Johannes Hahn, Commissioner responsible for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, represented the European Commission.

Negotiations between Turkish and Greek Cyprus resumed in February 2013 after a two-year pause, but Greek Cyprus suspended negotiations after Turkey sent a hydrocarbon exploration vessel to Greek Cyprus' southern coast in October of last year. Turkey later recalled the ship. Turkey is the only nation to recognize Turkish Cyprus while the majority of the international community recognizes Greek Cyprus, which is a member of the EU. Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987, but the Cyprus issue remains a major obstacle in Turkey's bid to join the 28-country bloc. To gain membership, Turkey must successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy areas, or chapters, which include reforms and the adoption of European standards. So far, 14 chapters have been opened while 17 remain blocked and another four have yet to be discussed.

Turkey's bid for EU membership could move forward "very soon," Hahn, said, adding that Chapter 17, which addresses economic and monetary policy, could be opened very soon. "We have concluded our internal work and we will submit our report to the council, at the latest in early June, and [I] hope we will get approval soon so we can start and open this chapter," he said at the news conference.

Out of 35 policy areas, 14 have been opened and 17 remain blocked, including those on economic and monetary policy and education and culture. "I would like to stress Turkey does and will do its part in [the] accession process. However, the pace of negotiations is not promising because some countries have raised obstacles," Bozkır said at the press conference.

"We expect this chapter [Chapter 17] to be opened as soon as possible. We are ready to intensify dialogue for deepening Turkey [and EU] relations," EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkır said.

Çavuşoğlu signaled earlier this month that Turkey would press ahead with its bid to join the EU. "With its geostrategic position, strong economy and effective foreign policy, Turkey can make a significant contribution to the EU on its way to becoming a global actor. That is why our accession process was started and has continued in line with the decisions made unanimously by the EU," Çavuşoğlu said.