Brussels, 01/08/2005 (Agence Europe) -On Friday evening, Turkey signed the infamous protocol extending its customs union agreement with the European Union to the 10 new Member States of the EU, including Cyprus. This signature was the final condition for the launch of accession negotiations on 3 October, but in order to be certain of whether it has been completely fulfilled, it remains to be seen what position the European Union takes on the declaration on Cyprus which was added by Turkey when it returned the signed protocol to the UK Presidency.
This declaration specifies that “the signature, ratification and implementation of this protocol in no way signify a recognition of the Republic of Cyprus referred to in this protocol". Contrary to the rest of the international community, Turkey continues to recognise the self-proclaimed Republic of Northern Cyprus and only to acknowledge the Greek Cypriot government as the authority of the South part of the island. Its declaration calls for the reunification of the island into one State divided into two regions, specifies a press release by the Turkish government.
Furthermore, Turkey feels that this agreement does not oblige it to open up its ports or its airspace to Cypriot ships and aeroplanes, a Turkish diplomat states. This could well be one of the most controversial points when the unilateral Turkish statement and its implications are examined by the European Commission and the Member States. In the view of Turkey, transport by boat is a service and as such, does not come into the framework of the customs union agreement, which is limited to goods. The European Commission, on the other hand, notes that a ruling by the European Court of Justice stipulates that means of transport which allow goods to be transported, and thus to ensure their freedom of movement, must be able to benefit from freedom of movement, according to a spokesperson. This is one of the foremost demands made by Cyprus and Greece.
At an initial meeting of Coreper, brought forward to 25 August, the Member States will examine this statement, the Presidency has announced, in order to prepare for the informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers of the EU to be held in the United Kingdom on 1 and 2 September. In September, the 25 will also adopt the framework for the accession negotiations.
The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, welcomed the signature of the protocol in a press release published on Saturday, which he described as a “ welcome step forward". The signature "should pave the way for the accession negotiations" he said, using the conditional voice. At first sight, he feels, the “declaration does not call into question Turkey's commitment to implement the protocol”. The UK Presidency also welcomed the signature in a press release, pointing out that the Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union and has been since 1 May 2004, and that the European Union "only recognises the Republic of Cyprus".