Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Attempt to annex occupied areas to Turkey would signal the end of Ankara's EU policy, spokesman says
by Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-01-04
Posted: Friday, January 05, 2001 11:18 am CST

NICOSIA, 04/01/2001 (CNA/ANA)-Cyprus News Agency

Any attempt to annex the Republic's Turkish occupied areas to mainland Turkey would signal the end of Ankara's European policy, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said here on Wednesday, in response to press reports about a secret plan of action to incorporate Turkish occupied Cyprus into Turkey.
The spokesman stressed that Turkey's European Union accession course points out clearly Ankara's obligation to contribute to an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the prospects for convening another round of UN-led proximity talks, the spokesman said the government is taking precautionary moves against any attempt to appease demands by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to neutralize positive provisions relating to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, included in a statement by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"Turkey's application for EU membership concerns its geographical area and not the areas of Cyprus it occupies illegally since 1974," Papapetrou told his daily press briefing, adding that "any attempt to incorporate these areas into Turkey would mean the end of Ankara's European policy."

He said EU summit conclusions make it clear that the solution of the Cyprus question should be on the basis of UN resolutions and Turkey's partnership agreement refers to its obligation to contribute to a comprehensive settlement.

Asked how the government is responding to Turkish designs, Papapetrou said "the government has been working quietly, systematically and with caution to such designs and has often raised this issue at various meetings."

Replying to other questions, the spokesman said the application of the Republic of Cyprus to join the EU relates to the entire territory of the Republic, including the areas now under Turkish occupation.

"We are requesting the implementation of the acquis communautaire in the areas the government is now controlling and extension of the acquis to the occupied areas as soon as the government regains control of these areas".

The government has been prevented from exercising its jurisdiction in the northern Turkish occupied areas of the Republic since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied this part of the island.

The spokesman said this position has been communicated to the EU and seems to be understood by Brussels.

Replying to questions about a new round of UN peace talks, Papapetrou said the government is concerned about moves aimed at appeasing Denktash's demands for recognition of his self-styled regime in occupied Cyprus before he is to return to the negotiating table.

"The possibility of seeing some moves to neutralize or counteract positive elements in Kofi Annan's statement during the most recent round of proximity talks in Geneva in November exists and we have been very active in this regard to avert any such eventuality," Papapetrou said.

The UN has chaired five rounds of proximity talks since December 1999 and has invited the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides to a new round in late January in Geneva.

Related Information...

Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News Archives