Nicosia sees no reason, as things stand, to lift a ban on the opening of negotiating chapters in Turkey`s EU accession talks, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said, commenting on statements by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during her visit to Istanbul, on the opening of chapter 17, while appearing ready to prepare the opening of chapters 23 and 24.
President Anastasiades said that he will meet during the next few days with Merkel at the EPP Statutory Congress in Madrid and will discuss the matter with her.
He recalled a proposal he had submitted to the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Derviş Eroğlu, providing for the opening of Turkish ports to Cyprus-flagged vessels, which in essence is tantamount to the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Ankara.
In turn, the President went on, this would pave the way to lift Nicosia`s ban on Turkey`s negotiating chapters. “I am not certain that such an issue is being raised right now,” the President remarked.
Commenting on a phrase by Merkel, that she will try to persuade Nicosia, the President responded “I am sure she will try to persuade Turkey as well on what I have just said”.
Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, speaking on the same matter to CNA correspondent in Athens, said that Turkey is not taking the necessary action which would allow Cyprus lift its ban on chapters 23 and 24.
Kasoulides acknowledged that many EU member states would like to see these chapters open.
“Many EU states are concerned about the refugee crisis, and I see a certain change in their attitude towards the opening of these negotiating chapters. I believe this is due to a wrong perception about ways to resolve the refugee crisis and what Ankara can actually offer in this direction,” the Minister said replying to questions.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-led talks, aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof, resumed on May 15, this year.
Turkey commenced accession talks with the EU in October 2005, a year later however the bloc froze eight chapters over Ankara`s refusal to open its ports and airports to Cyprus` vessels. Moreover, chapter 17 on the Economic and Monetary Policy is among the chapters frozen by Paris, while chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) are among the six chapters that were frozen by Nicosia in 2009.