Erdogan and the EU

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan drew a chorus of criticism from Cypriot politicians yesterday over his statement in Brussels that Turkey will only accept a federal solution based on “two founding states” on the island, the Cyprus Mail reports.

Erdogan made the comment during a joint press briefing with European Parliament, President Martin Schulz on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Erdogan said during his visit to Brussels that he refused to listen to proposals for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus, noting that this was offered in the Annan plan ten years ago but was rejected by the Greek Cypriots.

He added it had been a mistake to let Cyprus join the EU after the Annan plan rejection.

On the current peace talks, he claimed Turkey has always been constructive in its support to the Turkish Cypriots, calling on Greece to do the same with the Greek Cypriots.

“Our fundamental principle is a federal structure based on two founding states. The acceptance of anything outside this is in any case out of the question,” he was quoted by Turkish Cypriot media as saying.

For his part, Schulz said that the Republic of Cyprus had joined the EU representing the entire island, and called on Erdogan to accept this situation.

Earlier in the day, the heads of the European Commission and Council, Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, both called on Erdogan to help push a Cyprus solution forward.

Phileleftheros reported on Wednesday that the Turkish PM had asked the heads of the EU institutions to work on lifting Cyprus’ veto on opening accession negotiation chapters 23 on the judiciary and fundamental rights, and 24 on justice, freedom and security.

Moreover, Sabah newspaper reports that on his return to Turkey, Erdogan said that a solution to the Cyprus problem depends entirely on Mr Anastasiades.

“He is under the pressure of the church and radicals. If he manages to get through them, progress can be made.”

Responding to Erdogan’s statement, DIKO said his statements should help bring down to earth those wishful thinkers who believe Erdogan wants a solution, a sentiment echoed by EVROKO which called on Greek Cypriots to put an end to the illusion that Ankara is ready to cooperate for a bizonal federation, arguing that the ‘bizonal’ element is being used to firmly establish partition and two ethnic states in Cyprus.

House President and EDEK leader Yiannakis Omirou said Erdogan’s “performance of intransigence and provocation” in Brussels once again revealed Turkey’s true intentions.

Greens leader Giorgos Perdikis called on the political leadership to take its head out of the sand: “Mr Erdogan could not have been clearer. And the fact his statements were made in the heart of the EU have even greater weight.”

Citizens’ Alliance leader Giorgos Lillikas said President Nicos Anastasiades’ policy to appease Turkey with concessions on the joint communiqué and in opening new accession chapters has “collapsed like a house of cards”.

For its part, ruling DISY said that it categorically rejected the notion that any kind of federal solution would come about from two “founding states”.

On Tuesday both the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, speaking at a joint news conference with Erdogan, pointed to the urgent need to find a Cyprus solution, adding that it would have a positive outcome on Turkey’s EU course.

Erdogan said Turkey was committed to progress on Cyprus. “We will continue in this direction, hoping that there will be a positive approach on behalf of southern Cyprus, because this would be beneficial for all, for Cyprus, and for Turkey as an EU candidate country,” Erdogan said.

President Nicos Anastasiades, pre-empting Erdogan’s visit to the Belgian capital, had spoken by phone with Van Rompuy on Monday, and on Tuesday  with Barroso plus European Parliament President Martin Schulz to brief them on efforts to reach a deal on the joint statement aimed at kickstarting the talks.

Turkish Cypriots to be able to vote

The Council of Ministers today approved an amendment to the electoral law, whereby all citizens of the Republic living in the north will be automatically included on the electoral lists.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said this decision is related to the participation of Turkish Cypriots at the forthcoming European elections.

“It is an equal treatment of all citizens of the Republic”, he said, adding that the bill will be sent to the House for approval.