Erdogan Warns EU on Cyprus

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attending his first European Union (EU) summit since the beginning of the negotiations on October 3, issued a warning to Brussels on the subject of Cyprus.

Erdogan said that unless the bans imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were lifted the opening of the Turkish ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships and planes would be out of question. “Whatever the consequences, the ports won’t be opened until the bans are lifted.” Prime Minister Erdogan reminded that Turkey was given a promise and that although Turkey was told to approve the plan and not be concerned with the rest, Greek Cypriots had joined the EU within a week of their rejection of the Annan plan. After joining the EU leaders at lunch in the interim EU summit, Prime Minister Erdogan held a news conference during which he delivered harsh statements about Cyprus and also warned Iran.

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See also:

• PM Erdogan warns on Cyprus (Hürriyet)
• Erdogan: We won’t open our ports unless the TRNC embargo is lifted (Dünya Online)
• Talat blasts Prescott’s ‘occupation’ remarks targeted at Turkey (Turkish Daily News)
• Talat addresses conference in Washington, reiterates his call for end to TRNC isolation (Dünya Online)
• Talat Explains Cyprus Issue in Washington (Turks.US)
• De facto EU talks could start this year: Erdogan (NTV)
• France preparing to repair image in Turkey (Turkish Daily News)