EU Turkey talks go into extra time

Croatia could be a beneficiary of EU divisions over Turkey as diplomatic horse-trading goes into extra time.

Brussels envoys will next discuss the negotiating mandate for Turkish EU entry talks on September 21.

Talks failed on Wednesday ahead of an October 3 deadline amid a row over Turkey’s failure to give formal recognition to Cyprus.

If Europe’s 25 permanent representatives fail to agree next week the British EU presidency will be forced to call an emergency summit of Europe’s foreign ministers on September 26.

A draft ‘joint declaration’, reported in Le Figaro, currently reminds Ankara that Turkey’s possible EU membership requires recognition of Cyprus.

“Recognition of all the member states is a component necessary to the process of adhesion,” states the document.

“The EU stresses the importance which it attaches to the normalisation of the relations between Turkey and all the member states, as quickly as possible.”

The French newspaper quotes diplomats suggesting that Croatia’s stalled EU membership bid could be a beneficiary of the Turkey row.

Vienna is opposed to Turkey’s entry but is a strong backer of Zagreb, Croatia is currently on EU-hold amid continuing questions over its cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal.

“The Austrians will calm themselves if offered the opening of the negotiations with Croatia,” one diplomat calculated.

“Croatia forms part of the total bargaining on Turkey.”

Other diplomats regard the Turkey-Cyprus horse-trading as a means to keep Ankara on its toes ahead of October 3.

“It is tactical prudence: nobody wants a crisis on October 3,” a diplomat is reported to have said in Le Figaro.

“Europe’s capitals will keep up the suspense until the end, to put the Turks under pressure.”

“Some always fear a devastating blow from Ankara at the last minute, which overturns everything.”

Nicosia has pledged to continue a campaign at the Committee of Permanent Representative (COREPER) to secure a tougher EU declaration on the Turkey and Cyprus issue before Ankara can begin membership negotiations.

“Cyprus will continue its diplomatic battle in the COREPER to achieve changes so that the counterstatement will satisfy our expectations,” said a government spokesman.

Turkey’s EU entry negotiations have hit a bumpy patch over Ankara’s position on Cyprus and hardening attitudes against Turkish membership in some capitals.

Ankara recognises the Turkish Cypriot state in the northern half of the divided island and not the Greek Nicosia Republic of Cyprus government that is an EU member.

Full Turkish recognition of Cyprus is not a pre-condition to beginning talks but will be a pre-requisite of completing them.

Doubts over Ankara’s willingness to implement EU customs and free trade rules have been seized on by some European governments, such as Austria, that are hostile to Turkish EU entry.

But Cyprus is not threatening to veto membership talks and torpedo a December 2004 pledge by all EU leaders to open negotiations on October 3.

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