Cyprus dilemma poisons Turkey-EU relations

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the date of the European Council meeting. This version reflects the change.

The Cyprus dilemma in Turkey-EU relations will once again be on the table when the European Council meets Dec. 10-11 and the picture is not promising, even though new sanctions are not envisioned.

“The Cyprus issue is poisoning the process,” said Jean Christophe Filori from the Turkey unit of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Enlargement.

Brussels has repeatedly urged Ankara to extend the customs-union agreement to Greek Cyprus, but Turkey has vowed not to take any further steps unless the EU lifts its trade embargo on northern Cyprus.

“I’m not saying it is right, but it is a political fact over there,” Filori said in a meeting with Turkish journalists in Brussels.

Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias will reportedly seek tougher sanctions against Turkey at the December summit. But analysts do not expect more punishment for Ankara since the EU has already frozen talks in eight of 35 chapters that have to be completed to conclude membership negotiations.

EU officials are expected to avoid fresh tensions that may undermine U.N.-backed peace talks between the Turkish and Greek communities on Cyprus.

Though the commission conducts the accession negotiations with candidate countries, the European Parliament’s approval is needed to finalize the process.

The parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, has called on Turkey to normalize relations with Greek Cyprus. In a meeting with Turkish journalists in Strasbourg, Oomen-Ruijten hinted that the situation on the island would be at the center of the upcoming EU summit.

Turkey has committed to implement the Ankara protocol in 2009, Oomen-Ruijten said, adding: “Greece and Cyprus would like to have solution as soon as possible. Therefore we urge the Turkish government to take some concrete steps.”

Greek Cypriots, whose government is the island’s internationally recognized administration, were admitted into the EU in 2004 despite voting down a U.N. peace plan. Turkish Cypriots gave the plan overwhelming support but were left out in the cold. Turkey insists it will not extend its customs-union agreement to Greek Cyprus unless the EU keeps its promises regarding the northern side.

“The direct trade is not a deal. It was a proposal from the commission. Turkey can expect positive steps from the EU side, but it is not an obligation. Don’t forget it,” Oomen-Ruijten said in response to the expectations from Ankara. “There should be positive steps on the fulfillment of the Ankara Protocol.”

Helene Flautre, the chairwoman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, expressed a more constructive message.

“Without Turkey, my dream of Europe will be defective,” Flautre said, urging all sides to contribute to a settlement in Cyprus.

“Whoever they are, all partners have to push for a solution. Otherwise, it will mean the collapse of the European project,” Flautre said, calling on Greece, the European Union and the United Nations to help prevent the creation of a second wall in Europe.

“We are aware there is a sense of injustice toward Turkey,” said Richard Howitt, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. As a shadow rapporteur on Turkey, Howitt noted that progress would not possible without a solution in Cyprus. “Turkey in good faith supported reunification,” he said. “But the Ankara Protocol is a clear promise and legally binding.”

Croatia and Turkey are currently in negotiations for membership in the European Union, while talks have yet to start with former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which has been a candidate country since 2005. Montenegro, Albania and Iceland have also applied to join the bloc.

An EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that even Albania, which faces big challenges related to corruption, a poor economy and human rights violations, will enter the bloc before Turkey, which has to struggle with political disputes in addition to the standard criteria.

Czech Stefan Füle to lead EU enlargement policy

Stefan Füle has become EU commissioner for enlargement and European neighborhood policy, according to the list announced Nov. 27 by Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission.

The position of enlargement commissioner has been described by analysts as the most critical for Turkey, especially after Herman Van Rompuy, known for his anti-Turkey remarks, was elected as the full-time president of the European Union.

“We have a European program, and now we have a European team,” Barroso said. “I have put together a strong commission to fill the enhanced role of Europe, including on the world stage, provided by the Lisbon Treaty. One of the key tasks of this college will be to give life to the new opportunities provided by the Lisbon Treaty.”

Along with other commissioners-designate, Füle will present himself in hearings before the European Parliament in January. The commission will be appointed by the European Council on the basis of a vote of consent and will remain in office until Oct. 31, 2014.

Füle served as the Czech Republic’s minister for European affairs and previously represented his country in NATO over four years.

Outgoing enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn will be looking after economic and monetary affairs during the new term.

Barroso also announced seven vice presidents, including Baroness Catherine Ashton, who will also serve as the high representative of the union for foreign affairs and security policy. The new college will have 27 members, including Barroso, one from each member state. Fourteen members, including the president, were already members of the outgoing college.