The Hindu : International : Turkey urged to recognise Cyprus for E.U. entry

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Friday, Dec 17, 2004

International

International

Turkey urged to recognise Cyprus for E.U. entry

BRUSSELS, DEC. 16. European Union leaders, who are meeting here to discuss the issue of Turkey's membership of the Union, are likely to impose stiff conditions on Ankara.

The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, told reporters in Brussels the 25 leaders ``seem to have adopted a positive stance over our sensitivities but we cannot say that all of the issues have been settled yet.''

`Go the extra mile'

During a whirlwind tour through the Belgian capital ahead of the E.U. summit, Mr. Erdogan was seeking confirmation that once the talks open, they will not be open-ended and stretch past a dozen years, as many have suggested.

``We want these to be defined. They should not remain elastic in a way that can be pulled in every direction,'' he said. At the summit, the E.U. leaders will be grasping for added provisos and cautions before opening talks to assuage a wary electorate at home. Tough conditions will be set on the recognition of Cyprus, human rights and the movement of Turkish workers once membership is achieved.

Stiff conditions likely

``It must go the extra mile, and give clear signals of its European future,'' the E.U. Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, said just ahead of the summit. ``Turkey won't be able to join the E.U. without recognition of all member states,'' he said, obviously referring to Cyprus. ``It should make the gesture (of recognition), which I've suggested, sooner rather than later.''

The Crypriot President, Tassos, said Turkey would have to recognise the divided island nation before membership talks can begin. ``I shall exert every effort to achieve the recognition of Cyprus by Turkey. I am ready for hard bargaining until the last moment,'' Mr. Tassos said before leaving for Brussels.

Erdogan's appeal

In an ``open letter to the German people'' published on Thursday in Germany's top-selling Bild newspaper, Mr. Erdogan warned it would be ``quite dangerous'' for the E.U. to denounce Turkey ``because of its different culture and religion.

``If the E.U. limits its `identity' to Christianity — which I consider wrong — what would the millions of people in the European Union who are not Christians think?'' Mr. Erdogan said. As the centre of Eurasia, he said, Turkey wields influence in the Balkans, Central Asia and West Asia. ``If the E.U. wants the strength to play an important roll in the world, this path leads across Turkey''. — AP

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