Turkey pledges to establish ties with new Cyprus state

Turkey’s foreign minister has said the country would only establish ties with Cyprus after a comprehensive settlement and formation of a new partnership state.

Abdullah Gul’s exclusive remarks, published in the Turkish Daily News today, were in apparent response to France and Cyprus which have insisted Ankara clarifies its stand on the Mediterranean island’s status.

Turkey’s refusal to officially recognise EU member Cyprus is complicating the October 3 opening of EU entry talks. The issue is expected to dominate the EU’s agenda during talks this week.

“Turkey’s political will to be a full member of the EU is stronger than ever and it is only natural for us to interact increasingly with all the EU members on the way to Turkey’s full membership in the union,” Gul said.

“In this context, one should carefully read the declaration we issued on the day we signed the additional protocol. You will see Turkey expresses its readiness to establish relations with the new partnership state that will emerge following a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus.”

As a last requirement, Turkey signed a deal extending its customs union with the EU to the 10 countries that joined in 2004, including divided Cyprus, but later insisted in a separate declaration it still did not recognise the Cypriot government.

Even though the EU said Turkey had now met all legal requirements to open talks, legal experts will assess the Turkish declaration of non-recognition and see whether it could still affect the start of the negotiations.

Cyprus has warned it will push for a “counter-statement” against Turkey’s declaration and French President Jacques Chirac has insisted Ankara explain its position.

During Friday’s talks, the 25 EU ministers will be able to put the question directly to Turkey’s Foreign Minister, who will attend the meeting.