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The following article appeared in the Cyprus Mail of Nicosia on 21 November 2000.
"Ecevit says Turkey might review EU ties over Cyprus PRIME Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday said Turkey would review its ties with the European Union if disputes over Cyprus and Aegean Sea borders were left on the list of issues to be addressed before membership talks, Reuters reported from Ankara. Turkish officials were incensed that a sentence demanding support for UN efforts to reach a settlement on Cyprus was included under Turkey's short term goals when EU guidelines for talks on joining the bloc were unveiled on November 8. The issue of settling Aegean territorial disputes with Greece appeared only in the preamble to the guidelines, but NTV television said Ecevit believed there were also efforts to include it as a condition. "I hope the European Union will assess as required the sensitivity of our government and public. Otherwise it will be inevitable to review our relations with the EU," he said. Ecevit said he would not elaborate on what he meant by reviewing relations, but added: "Of course we have some preparations and thoughts about this." Asked whether Turkey might give up on its efforts to join the EU, Ecevit said: "It would not be right to say anything on that. We hope that our expectations and warnings will be considered."" For further information please contact Lobby via e-mail: |