Accession  Negotiations to Begin in March
Calling it “a decision of historic importance that will benefit the whole of the people of Cyprus,” Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides welcomed the E.U. decision to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus on March 30.

The decision was taken at the European Council in Luxembourg from December 12-13 which, in its “Presidency Conclusions,” said it “decided to launch an accession process comprising the ten Central and Eastern European applicant States and Cyprus.”The Cyprus government was “fully satisfied” with the results of the summit, President Clerides said in Luxembourg on December 13, where he participated in a meeting of the Leaders of E.U. member and applicant states. He also expressed confidence that “the start of accession negotiations will help toward a solution of the Cyprus problem.”

Cyprus Ready for Full E.U. Membership
The accession process will be launched on March 30 with ”a meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the fifteen Member States of the E.U., the ten Central and East European applicant States and Cyprus. A single framework for these applicant countries will be established.”

The Council will also on March 30 “convene bilateral intergovernmental conferences . . . to begin negotiations with Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia on their entry into the Union and the ensuing Treaty adjustments.”

Concurrently, “the preparation of negotiations” with the five other applicant states “will be speeded up.”Since applying for full membership in 1990, the Cyprus government has systematically worked to harmonize Cyprus’ laws and regulations with the acquis communitaire; which places Cyprus in an advanced stage of preparation for accession. “Whereas accession will be far off for all other candidates, things could go quite quickly for Cyprus,” the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Cyprus’ accession, Dutch Euro-parliamentarian Jan-Willem Bertens, said on December 22. “Having adapted to 80-90% of the acquis communitaire, Cyprus is in a very different situation from countries which have just adapted to 15-40% of the E.U. legislation,” he added.

E.U.: Accession to Facilitate Comprehensive Settlement
In explaining the reasons for E.U. enlargement, the European Council stressed that “with the launch of the enlargement process we see that dawn of a new era, finally putting an end to the divisions of the past.”

Regarding Cyprus, the summit’s “Presidency Conclusions” said that Cyprus’ accession “should benefit all communities and help to bring about civil peace and reconciliation,” adding that “the accession negotiations will contribute positively to the search for a political solution of the Cyprus problem under the aegis of the United Nations, which must continue with a view to creating a bi-communial, bi-zonal federation.”

The Council also “requests that the willingness of the Government of Cyprus to include representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community in the accession negotiating delegation be acted upon.” The decision was widely praised by the U.N., U.S., and others involved in international efforts to achieve a settlement. In its recent resolution on Cyprus (1146/1997), the U.N. Security Council called the start of Cyprus accession talks “an important development,” while U.S. State Department Spokesman James Foley stressed on December 16 that “the E.U. accession process offers positive incentives for a Cyprus solution. The process can be a catalyst if all sides are willing to approach the issue with a constructive spirit, and offers itself as a catalyst for resolution of the issues.”

While confirming Turkey’s eligibility for accession to the E.U., the Luxembourg summit reiterated that to strengthen its relations with the Union, Turkey must undertake reforms, “including the alignment of human rights standards and practices on those in force in the E.U.; respect for and protection of minorities; the establishment of satisfactory and stable relations between Greece and Turkey; the settlement of disputes, in particular by legal process, including the International Court of Justice; and support for negotiations under the aegis of the U.N. on a political settlement in Cyprus on the basis of the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions.”

E.U. Rejects Turkey’s Interference with Cyprus Accession
The President of the European Council, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, confirmed on December 12 that E.U. officials also want Ankara to support Cyprus’ membership in the E.U. and to end its threats against Cyprus.

During a recent meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Juncker told Yilmaz that Turkey “must cease impeding Cyprus' accession to the European Union. Turkey must make it clear that Cyprus can become a member,” he said on December 12, adding that he had also urged Turkey to revoke threats of using military force against Cyprus yet “Turkey did not do this.”

E.U. officials have repeatedly condemned Turkey’s attempt to interfere in Cyprus-E.U. relations. Despite the E.U.’s desire for an ongoing political dialogue with Turkey, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook added on December 12, that no one is “going to concede any kind of veto to Turkey over the application for Cyprus, which should be judged on its own merits and which we warmly support.”

Turkey’s attempts to interfere in E.U. relations with Cyprus was also completely rejected by European Union leaders. Euro-parliamentarian Bertens, characterized the sentiment of many when he emphasized that “no one is giving in to those threats . . . It is not Europe that needs Turkey but it is Turkey that needs Europe. Only if the Union will really stick to this policy, will the illegal occupier, Turkey, give way and allow for a fair solution to be found.”

Ankara adopted a hard-line position following the Luxembourg summit, condemning the European Union for beginning accession talks with Cyprus and for insisting that Ankara meet certain standards of conduct before being considered for full membership.

“After this, our government will not discuss the subjects of Cyprus and our relations with Greece” with European Union leaders, Prime Minister Yilmaz said on December 14.  He also repeated earlier threats to take steps to further integrate the occupied areas of Cyprus with Turkey—a gross violation of international law.

Greece warned Ankara “it would be a terrible mistake on the part of Turkey if it moves to further strengthen its relations with the occupied part of Cyprus,” the Greek government spokesman said on December 16, “such a move would lead Turkey in a confrontation course with the E.U.”

The U.S. view of Turkey’s threat to integrate the occupied areas “is to oppose any moves in that direction,” the State Department spokesman said on December 23, “we believe in a negotiated solution which would result in a bizonal, bicommunal federation; we fully support the U.N.’s efforts in this regard.”

Kasoulides: Cyprus Settlement Based on European Principles
“Turkey’s threats would not be acceptable to the international community,”  Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides emphasized on December 15, but “if Turkey accepts what today are considered European values and principles, these can form the framework in which the Cyprus problem can be solved.”

Indicative of the distance which Turkey will have to travel to conform to international law and European standards of conduct, Turkey even rejected participation in a European Conference of E.U. member and applicant states. The only requirement which the European Council has stipulated for participation in the Conference is that states pledge to respect “the integrity and inviolability of external borders and the principles of international law and a commitment to the settlement of territorial disputes by peaceful means, in particular through the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in the Hague”—criteria Turkey is not yet willing to embrace.

Turkey’s rejection of the invitation to attend the Conference was “regrettable, wrong, and unjustified,” German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said. on December 14.
 

Intense Efforts for
Settlement in 1998
Clinton: "I Want a Resolution Very Badly"
“Cyprus will enter a most decisive period for its future after the (February Presidential) elections,” Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said on December 21, as the international community makes its most concerted effort to date to reach a Cyprus settlement.

This goal has taken on an urgency since the continuing division of Cyprus fosters regional tension which can destabilize not only the eastern Mediterranean, but even the Balkans, Clerides said on December 19, and this is “an undesirable situation for Europe, but also for the U.Ss.”

U.S. Reiterates Importance of Cyprus Solution
Before U.N. talks resume in March the United States, the European Union  and others have reiterated their support for U.N. efforts and explored ways to ensure that the next round of U.N. talks is successful.

“I want a resolution of the Cyprus issue very badly,” U.S. President Bill Clinton said at a press conference on December 16, in emphasizing the high priority which the U.S. places on a settlement. He added that evidence of his commitment is that he “asked Mr. (Richard) Holbrooke to head our efforts to try to resolve it.” Further evidence of his commitment is indicated by the fact that Cyprus was among the key issues which U.S. officials discussed with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz during his visit to Washington in December.

Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Defense Secretary William Cohen, and other U.S. officials expressed the American desire that regional tensions can be peacefully resolved, a U.S. official said on December 19, adding that the U.S. still wants “to play a positive role in a solution along with the U.N., the E.U. and others who have an active interest in moving towards a peaceful resolution in Cyprus and a reduction of tensions in the Aegean.”

U.N. Seeks “Open-Ended” Talks
In extending the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping forces on Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six months, the U.N. Security Council on December 22 expressed its full support for the Secretary-General’s intention to begin in March an “open-ended process of negotiations . . . aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement.”

In resolution (1146/1997) the Council also reaffirmed that the aim of the U.N. effort is that “a Cyprus settlement must be based on a State of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded.”

The instability inherent in Turkey’s continuing occupation of over 37% of Cyprus was reflected in the Council’s “grave concern at the continuing excessive and increasing levels of military forces and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus and the rate at which they are being expanded, upgraded and modernized” as well as “the lack of progress towards any reduction in the number of foreign troops.”

These concerns have also been repeatedly expressed by the Cyprus government, which has recently drawn attention to the introduction into the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus of additional advanced weaponry and troops, and to Turkey’s military provocations, including the latest in a series of illegal military overflights. The Security Council resolution not only calls for a reduction of military forces and weaponry on Cyprus, but it endorses President Clerides’ proposal for the eventual demilitarization of Cyprus.

Efforts to achieve progress through direct talks last year were once again undermined by the Turkish side which attempted to introduce new preconditions to the talks, and there is little indication the Turkish side is now willing to be flexible.

Turkish Side Hardens Stance
In recent weeks, in fact, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has used the E.U. decision on Cyprus as a pretext to abandon the U.N. effort completely¾despite the fact that the decision to launch Cyprus accession negotiations six months after the end of the E.U. Intergovernmental Conference was taken in March, 1995.

Denktash’s intransigence regarding the E.U., which completely coincides with Turkey’s position, has been criticized by other Turkish Cypriot leaders who recognize the many benefits which accrue from E.U. membership.
 

Cyprus & the EU: The Road to Accession
The successful evolution of Cyprus’ accession process is based on more than 25 years of growing economic and political cooperation between the European Economic Community (the forerunner of the European Union) and Cyprus.

December, 1972. Cyprus and the E.E.C. conclude an Association Agreement which provides for the establishment of a Customs Union.

October, 1987. A protocol for implementation of the second stage of the Association Agreement is signed. It establishes the terms and procedures for an eventual Customs Union between Cyprus and the E.U.

July, 1990. The Cyprus Government applies for full E.U. membership. The decision is fostered by the economy’s vibrant performance following Turkey’s 1974 invasion, despite the fact that the invasion resulted in the  illegal occupation of some of Cyprus’ most productive territory.

June, 1993. In its avis (opinion) on Cyprus’ application, the European Commission recognizes Cyprus’ European identity and character, and affirms that Cyprus satisfies the criteria to become a full member of the E.U.

October, 1993. The E.U. General Affairs Council endorses the Commission avis, confirms the eligibility of Cyprus for E.U. membership, and invites the Commission to open substantive discussions with the Government of Cyprus to help it prepare for the forthcoming accession negotiations.

December, 1993. With the appointment of a member of the E.U. Commission as an observer to the U.N. talks, the E.U. intensifies its involvement in international efforts aimed at achieving a Cyprus settlement.

June, 1994. The European Council at Corfu concludes that  the next phase of enlargement of the Union would include Cyprus and that “an essential stage in Cyprus' preparations for accession could be regarded as completed.”

July, 1994. The Court of Justice of the European Communities rules that all imports from Cyprus must be accompanied by customs documents issued by the government of Cyprus¾a decision which reconfirms the sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus over the entire island with regard to the E.U. The decision also reaffirms that the government of Cyprus remains the sole legal interlocutor for the E.U.

January, 1995. In three reports to the Council of Ministers, the E.U. observer confirms the conclusions of the U.N. Secretary-General that the absence of progress in U.N. talks is the result of a lack of political will by the Turkish side.

March, 1995. The E.U. General Affairs Council decides that accession negotiations with Cyprus will start six months after the conclusion of the 1996 E.U. Intergovernmental Conference. The E.U. also intensifies efforts to assist the U.N. in achieving a comprehensive settlement.

June, 1995. The Cannes European Council reaffirms at the highest level the decision that accession negotiations with Cyprus will start six months after the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference and precludes any third party from impeding Cyprus' European orientation. The E.C.-Cyprus Association Council also outlines the establishment of a “structured dialogue” to help prepare Cyprus for accession.

October, 1996. The European Parliament, which has regularly adopted resolutions strongly condemning Turkey’s illegal occupation of Cyprus, calls on its member states “to respond with continued firm pressure on Turkey” and blocks millions of dollars in E.U. aid to Turkey, contingent on progress towards a Cyprus settlement and other issues.

July, 1997. The European Commission's “Agenda 2000” report reaffirms the Commission’s 1993 avis on Cyprus’ eligibility for E.U. membership, that accession negotiations will begin six months after the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference, and that the E.U. is determined to play a positive role in bringing about a lasting settlement based on the U.N. resolutions on Cyprus.

December, 1997. The European Council in Luxembourg decides to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus on March 30, 1998.
 

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