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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-12-07
CONTENTS
[01] PAPADOPOULOS - TURKEY - EU
[02] FINLAND - TURKEY - EU
[01] PAPADOPOULOS - TURKEY - EU
Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos has said that the Turkish
proposal to open a port to Cypriot vessels basically suggests linking
the fulfillment of its obligations towards the EU with something in
exchange from Cyprus, noting that "we say Turkey`s obligations towards
the EU are autonomous and independent of what will happen in Cyprus."
Speaking from Beijing, where he is holding an official visit, President
Papadopoulos said "it is not Cyprus that is being judged on December
15" but whether Turkey is meeting its obligations or not.
He said the Turkish proposal is "nothing new," adding that "we must
first read the proposal to see what it is."
President Papadopoulos said that "we do not believe that Cyprus must
give anything in exchange to Turkey so that Turkey will fulfill its
obligations towards Europe."
[02] FINLAND - TURKEY - EU
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja has confirmed that
Turkey has informed the Finnish Presidency of the EU of its intention
to provisionally open a major sea port to Cypriot vessels.
``Turkey`s initiative is a positive step towards full implementation of
the Ankara protocol, but still needs clarification. If Turkey is ready
for such an unconditional move, this positive step will influence the
Council`s discussions on the continuation of Turkey`s EU accession
process,`` Tuomioja said.
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