Nicosia denied on Tuesday Turkish press reports that Cyprus has agreed to the opening of two chapters of Turkey`s EU accession talks.
A report by Turkish daily “Hurriet“ invoking European Commission notes that Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Marcoullis said Nicosia would not oppose to the opening of the chapters 23 and 24 namely on Judiciary and fundamental rights and Justice, Freedom and security.
Describing these reports as unfounded, Marcoullis recalled that these chapters are included in the chapters that have been frozen following a unilateral decision by the Republic of Cyprus in December 2009.
She also said that this report follows information and interpretations published in the Greek Cypriot press of the European Commission`s decision to proceed with the so-called positive agenda,“ which aims to keep reforms going in Turkey.
Noting that the process on how to proceed with the positive agenda has not been completed yet, Marcoullis said that we have secured in the EU General Affairs Council conclusions that the positive agenda can be pursued only if the negotiating framework is being followed.
She also said that the Commission is at the process of informing the Turkish authorities regarding the six chapters and the acquis communautaire, clarifying that these two chapters are not included in this process as no agreement has been reached by the member-states concerning the opening benchmarks.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and has said it will have no contacts with Nicosia, when it assumes the rotating EU Presidency in the second half of 2012.
Although it signed the Additional Protocol to its Customs Union with the EU in 2005, Turkey refuses to normalize its relations with all EU member-states including Cyprus and denies opening its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and airplanes.