Turkish president slams “miserable” Cypriot EU presidency

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has slammed the prospect of Cyprus taking over the European Union presidency next year.

Izvor: Tanjug

Wednesday, 23.11.2011.

13:25

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Turkish President Abdullah Gul has slammed the prospect of Cyprus taking over the European Union presidency next year. He described it as "half a country" leading a "miserable union", Istanbul-based daily Aksam reported on Wednesday. Turkish president slams “miserable” Cypriot EU presidency "Now this half a country, this incomplete country will take over the EU presidency. There will be a half-presidency leading a miserable union. That is exactly the expression I said to EU leaders," Gul was quoted as saying. The Turkish president pointed out that the EU could suffer its biggest loss of credibility in 2012 when Cyprus takes over the rotating EU presidency in July. Ankara does not recognize the government in Nicosia even though it is recognized by Brussels and the UN. Turkey has previously said it will freeze ties with the EU presidency when Cyprus takes over the role. Turkey was granted the EU candidate status in 1999 and it started its accession negotiations in 2005. The country has not made much progress in the EU integration process so far because it refuses to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004. Cyprus has been split between its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations since a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief, Greek-inspired coup. The local Turks declared an independent state which has so far been recognized only by Ankara. In the meantime, the UN has called a summit for January in a fresh attempt to resolve the division. Turkey advocates speeding up of the negotiations between the Turkish and Greek sides in Cyprus in order to find a comprehensive and acceptable solution before Nicosia takes over the EU presidency next July. Abdullah Gul (FoNet, file)

Turkish president slams “miserable” Cypriot EU presidency

"Now this half a country, this incomplete country will take over the EU presidency. There will be a half-presidency leading a miserable union. That is exactly the expression I said to EU leaders," Gul was quoted as saying.

The Turkish president pointed out that the EU could suffer its biggest loss of credibility in 2012 when Cyprus takes over the rotating EU presidency in July.

Ankara does not recognize the government in Nicosia even though it is recognized by Brussels and the UN.

Turkey has previously said it will freeze ties with the EU presidency when Cyprus takes over the role.

Turkey was granted the EU candidate status in 1999 and it started its accession negotiations in 2005. The country has not made much progress in the EU integration process so far because it refuses to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004.

Cyprus has been split between its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations since a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief, Greek-inspired coup. The local Turks declared an independent state which has so far been recognized only by Ankara.

In the meantime, the UN has called a summit for January in a fresh attempt to resolve the division.

Turkey advocates speeding up of the negotiations between the Turkish and Greek sides in Cyprus in order to find a comprehensive and acceptable solution before Nicosia takes over the EU presidency next July.

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