Brussels, 28/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - The president of the EPP-ED group at the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering believes that Turkey should recognise Cyprus before beginning EU accession negotiations. On Thursday he declared that “accession negotiations with Turkey are impossible as long as the question of recognition of Cyprus is not settled”. On Wednesday, after meeting his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tony Blair gave his full support to the Turkish position declaring that the signing of the protocol by Ankara did not mean recognition of Cyprus. Pöttering supports a privileged partnership rather than accession and believes that Turkey “cannot negotiate its EU accession while refusing to recognise one of its members”.
A Coreper meeting had been planned for Thursday morning to inform delegations about the results of the Blair-Erdogan meeting but it has been cancelled. Several delegations indicated on Thursday afternoon that they had still not been informed about the contents of the discussions. Turkey announced that it expected to sign the protocol this week but the British presidency has not given a date or the modalities to follow for the signing. It could be done very quickly if the declaration that Turkey intends to publish on not recognising Cyprus is accepted by Member States. European diplomats underline that they would agree if Turkey indicated that the signing of the protocol did not mean recognition of Cyprus. But are opposed that this is stipulated, for example and if it continues to refuse port and airspace access to Cypriot boats and planes. Member States, including Greece have demanded reassurances on this point before the presidency officially sends Turkey the text of the protocol for signing.