Rehn: Turkey – Cyprus row threatens EU Kosovo mission

A defense row between Turkey and Cyprus could endanger European security forces in Kosovo, Olli Rehn says.

Izvor: Reuters

Thursday, 29.11.2007.

18:28

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A defense row between Turkey and Cyprus could endanger European security forces in Kosovo, Olli Rehn says. The disagreement could prevent closer cooperation between the future EU and NATO missions there, the EU Enlargement Commissioner said Thursday. Rehn: Turkey – Cyprus row threatens EU Kosovo mission Reuters reported that the EU is gearing up to take over responsibility for policing in Kosovo from the United Nations and had sought tighter cooperation between its 1,600-strong mission and the 16,000 NATO peacekeepers who will remain there. NATO-member Turkey blocked those plans in protest against a longstanding Cypriot veto of closer defense ties between it and the 27-member bloc, with which Ankara began entry talks in 2005, the agency said. Turkey wants Brussels to persuade EU member Cyprus to drop its veto over Ankara's bid to become an associate member of the European Defense Agency (EDA), the body set up to nurture EU-wide defense industry policy, diplomats said. Ankara also wants to be consulted more on EU security policy, arguing it is already a major participant in EU-led missions - including Kosovo, with troops in the south of the province, Reuters pointed out. "Let's finally move on that issue. It's a real European problem. It's hurting the European Union, its citizens and potentially our soldiers and policemen," Rehn said. "If there are representatives here from Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus, please take my point and pass it to your capitals," he said at a meeting in Helsinki, Finland.

Rehn: Turkey – Cyprus row threatens EU Kosovo mission

Reuters reported that the EU is gearing up to take over responsibility for policing in Kosovo from the United Nations and had sought tighter cooperation between its 1,600-strong mission and the 16,000 NATO peacekeepers who will remain there.

NATO-member Turkey blocked those plans in protest against a longstanding Cypriot veto of closer defense ties between it and the 27-member bloc, with which Ankara began entry talks in 2005, the agency said.

Turkey wants Brussels to persuade EU member Cyprus to drop its veto over Ankara's bid to become an associate member of the European Defense Agency (EDA), the body set up to nurture EU-wide defense industry policy, diplomats said.

Ankara also wants to be consulted more on EU security policy, arguing it is already a major participant in EU-led missions - including Kosovo, with troops in the south of the province, Reuters pointed out.

"Let's finally move on that issue. It's a real European problem. It's hurting the European Union, its citizens and potentially our soldiers and policemen," Rehn said.

"If there are representatives here from Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus, please take my point and pass it to your capitals," he said at a meeting in Helsinki, Finland.

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