Next step for Turkey on the EU path: Staying the course ...

A group of people, including myself, was with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat, the day before yesterday, at the prestigious Istanbul-based Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV). He shared some of his intimate thoughts with us. He sounded more optimistic compared to his remarks given to the public a few moments before.

Nonetheless, he was bitter about the juncture reached with the European Union, as he sees the community fell hostage to the Greek Cypriots, led by an intransigent Tassos Papadopoulos. As long as he heads the Greek Cypriot entity or as long as the Europeans do not disassociate themselves from Papadopoulos in forming a European policy on thorny issues like Cyprus and determining their horizons with Turkey, they can’t overcome the impasse. The captivity by the so-called “Republic of Cyprus” or making EU-Turkish relations dependent on the will of people like Papadopoulos will prove to be a non-starter.

In spite of the decisions concerning the negotiations process with Turkey, in which eight chapters were suspended and closing those opened — if they could be opened, under such circumstances — is to be incumbent upon Turkey’s implementation of the Ankara Protocol, the point reached has, though tacitly, some positive elements.

Above all, the Europeans are getting to understand that the Cyprus issue is turning into a European problem. The United Nations might stay the venue for any resolution but it cannot be resolved unless the EU decisively and positively contributes to its ultimate settlement. Talat gave a number of valid examples why the EU cannot escape from engaging the Cyprus issue. As long as Greek Cyprus enjoys the privileges of being a full member and the North is excluded, even matters of minor importance suddenly transform themselves into problems that the EU should tackle.

Just two funny examples — bird flu is a concern for all Europe. The island of Cyprus is on the yearly migration route of many birds. And, the birds — probably infected with the flu — do not respect the inviolability of the Green Line dividing both parts of the island while flying from north to south or vice-versa. The EU is obliged to engage with the North. A water bottle could easily become an issue of sovereign rights as well. Greek Cypriot officials won’t allow any bottle to be carried from north to south if it carries a label saying “Northern Cyprus,” asserting that it may amount to recognizing the “illegal entity” in the north.

Absurdities at that level are preoccupying and will preoccupy EU institutions at every moment, reminding the EU of the fatal mistake they made in letting Greek Cypriot Cyprus, a party to a conflict, into the club considered a “conflict-free zone.”

The coming new year seems not to offer much to ameliorate the damaged relationship between Turkey and the EU because of the coming year of elections in Turkey. Nevertheless, it can be a year where incremental progress could be achieved on Cyprus, if the Europeans are determined to display their political will in implementing the decision of the European Council of April 2004 to start direct trade with the north. There are some positive signals in this respect.

Therefore, despite the damage done, the best Turkey could do at this very juncture is to keep its determination for staying the course ...