Brussels, 04/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - In the view of President of Turkey Abdullah Gul, the Cypriot financial crisis is a “big opportunity” to put an end to the division of the island, which dates back to 1974. “There is currently a big economic crisis on the island. This should be considered as a big opportunity - because if the island was united, there would be greater economic potential”, Gul said during an official visit to Lithuania on 3 April - Lithuania being the country that will take the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers on 1 July. Gul called for the lifting of all types of embargo and restrictions on the island “so that we can create a new climate to move forwards”.
Alongside this, in Turkey on the same day - in the presence of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton - Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu said that they share the idea “of a new window of opportunity” for negotiations. He said that Ankara hopes that negotiations will be renewed in order to reach “the final objective” of overall settlement of the conflict, “which is the best path for all the parties”. “Over the forthcoming days and months, we will concentrate on the definitive settlement of the situation”, he said, adding that “Turkey will be ready to contribute to an effort like this”. “If the Greek Cypriot administration is not ready for such a settlement, it must be able to propose alternatives”, he added. However, the head of Turkish diplomacy warned that Ankara's position is “clear-cut when it comes to a fait accompli”. Although Cyprus counts on starting exploitation of the gas surrounding the island, Turkey is opposed to this exploitation for as long as the conflict is not resolved. Cypriot Minister for Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides stated on 4 April that his country was going to build a gas processing plant, and rejected sharing the potential revenue with the Turkish Cypriots.
Progressing with accession negotiations. Davutoglu also highlighted the importance of creating fresh momentum in terms of opening new accession chapters for Turkey with the EU. “I'm determined to see Turkey's progress in its relations with the European Union”, Ashton stated. In Lithuania, President Dalia Grybauskaité said that “Turkey needs Europe, and Europe needs Turkey”. “Over the course of the Lithuanian Presidency (of the EU Council of Ministers) our objective is to speed up the negotiations. Lithuania is in search of a constructive dialogue that is mutually beneficial for both parties”, she added.
During their meeting, Ashton and Davutoglu also discussed visa liberalisation, negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue (see other article), the Middle East peace process, Syria and the Arab Spring countries, and the free trade agreement between the EU and USA in which Turkey has the “right” and “obligation” to participate, according to Davutoglu. (CG/transl.fl)