Cyprus on Wednesday accused Turkey of violating EU Customs Union
Agreement by refusing to permit a ship flying the Republic of
Cyprus flag to enter a Turkish harbor. Cypriot government spokesman
George Lillikas said Turkey's action constitutes a violation of the
Customs Union between Turkey and the European Union.
A Cyprus-flag cargo ship Able F from Italy had requested
permission to enter the Turkish port of Mersin in southern Turkeyto
unload 16 containers, but the Turkish authorities declined togrant
permission. The ship anchored two miles off the coast."With its
attitude, Turkey once again shows that it does not convince of its
commitment to proceed its course respecting its EU obligations,"
the spokesman said in a statement.
In July last year, Ankara extended a customs union deal with the
EU to the ten new member states including Cyprus, meeting the
precondition of starting entry talks with the EU last October. But
at the same time, Turkey issued a declaration saying its signature
of the customs union protocol did not mean it recognized the
Republic of Cyprus.
Turkey has so far refused to implement the protocol which
provides for the opening of Turkish ports and airports to Cypriot
ships and airplanes.
However, Ankara put forward a new proposed on Cyprus problem
last month, which allows opening Turkish ports, airports and
airspace to Greek Cypriot ships and planes if Turkish Cypriot
isolation is lifted.
Cyprus rejected the proposal as an effort by Turkey to avoid its
obligations towards Cyprus and the EU.
Cyprus has been divided into the Greek Cypriot south and Turkish
Cypriot north since 1974 when Turkey sent troops to take control of
the northern third of the island to foil a coup by the Greek
Cypriots seeking union with Greece.
The latest UN-led efforts to reunite the island failed in April
2004, when the federation plan was rejected by the Greek Cypriots
but approved by Turkish Cypriots in a separate referendum. Greek
Cypriot-dominated Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in
May 2004 on behalf of the whole island.
The Greek Cypriot government is recognized internationally, but
the breakaway northern Cyprus is only recognized by Turkey.
(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2006)
