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Cyprus ‘does not plan EU veto on Turkey’ – but wants sanctions

Nicosia – The government of Cyprus has no plans to impose a veto on Turkey’s European Union accession course, but said Thursday that member states were considering the type of sanctions to be imposed if Ankara continues to defy all protocols.

Turkey’s refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus and its insistence to prevent access to its ports and airports of Cypriot vessels, in contravention of the Ankara Protocol, could result in the EU stopping all accession talks with that country.

The Greek Cypriots also want the deserted town of Varosha to be returned, initially under a United Nations mandate, in exchange for allowing the Turkish-occupied port of Famagusta to gain international recognition.

The EU expects all applicants to implement the accession protocols, said President Tassos Papadopoulos after a meeting with visiting Armenian President Robert Kocharian.

Nobody desires the interruption of talks with Turkey, but what is being discussed (by other EU member states) is the type and height of sanctions. The veto belongs to those who do not want to impose sanctions on Turkey, Papadopoulos said.

Turkey’s relations with its neighbours also applies to Armenia, said Kocharian. He added that as Turkey has desires to join the EU, the process of its accession path interests us. This will also affect relations between Armenia and Turkey.

Responding to an invitation to visit Armenia, Papadopoulos accepted but said Kocharian should not expect an answer too soon, as we have some very important matters to deal with next month.

The Cypriot president has already shortened a visit to China so that he will be back on the island on December 9, a few days after Turkey’s final deadline to comply with the Ankara protocol and a few days before EU leaders meet to continue or stop all accession talks.

‘There is no difference in our policies with Armenia,’ Papadopoulos said. ‘The Cyprus government will continue to support Armenia at international fora and in bilateral relations.’

The two presidents, accompanied by their foreign ministers and other cabinet members, discussed ways to improve education, tourism, banking and cultural cooperation and implement a number of agreements in 2007.

In Cyprus there is a dynamic and high standard Armenian community, Papadopoulos said, adding that we continue will to utilize this resource to further our cooperation in many fields. For that we have promised every kind of support.

One more protocol remains to be signed on the protection of investments and this will complete our obligations on the economic chapter, Kocharian concluded.

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/article_1225551.php/Cyprus_does_not_plan_EU_veto_on_Turkey_-_but_wants_sanctions

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