Cyprus co-operation for Euro defence force

The following article appeared in the Cyprus Mail of Nicosia on 21 November 2000, written by Jean Christou.

"Hasikos pledges Cyprus co-operation for Euro defence force

THE EU should take Cyprus' participation in any peace missions organised by the future European army as a given, Defence Minister Socrates Hasikos said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at Larnaca Airport before his departure for Brussels to take part in a meeting of Defence Ministers from the 15 member states and the candidate countries, Hasikos said Cyprus could offer the European rapid defence force its services and infrastructure.

Replying to questions, the Defence Minister said: "It is a fact that Turkey, and especially Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, have at times expressed concern over Cyprus' involvement in this European force, but this does not affect our contribution, in view of Cyprus' course to join the EU."

Earlier this month, Denktash accused the Greek Cypriot side of playing games with the Turkish Cypriots, the UN and the EU after the National Guard took part in a pan-European military exercise.

Four Greek Cypriot military officers flew to Austria to take part for the first time in a European joint exercise held within the framework of NATO's `Partnership for Peace'. The exercise, under a simulated state of war and involving 13 countries, was held on November 9 and 10.

Denktash repeated his view that Cyprus should not join the EU before a settlement to the Cyprus problem and warned that the Greek Cypriot side's approach to the EU army issue could affect the ongoing UN-led proximity talks.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Turkish Cypriot `authorities' said Cyprus and Greece were working to give a base to the EU army, which "would disrupt the balance in Cyprus and in the region".

"The other intention and ambition of this game is annihilating the Turkish Cypriots, giving legal status to the national troops of guardsmen which were set up against the laws and constitution to annex the island to Greece," the statement said.

"On behalf of the people of the TRNC, we have drawn the attention of the concerned countries and the United Nations to this issue, which has been on the agenda for months. We will not be responsible for such a development and a wrong decision taken to this end."

The statement repeated that the issue could affect the talks, going as far as to say that if the Greek Cypriot side continued its "unilateral initiative" under the umbrella of the EU, "it will close the door for the proximity and direct talks".