"Editorial: Turkey plays its union card
December 20, 2004
THE historic agreement reached over the weekend between European Union leaders and the Turkish Government is good for both parties � and good for the world. The talks on Turkish accession nearly collapsed over the issue of Ankara's unwillingness to recognise the Republic of Cyprus, which joined the EU in April. This would have been an irony, given that it was northern Cyprus, still occupied by Turkey, that voted for reunification a week before the Cypriot accession, while the Greek south voted against. As the metaphorical clock ticked towards midnight on Turkey's chances for EU membership in our time, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan finally agreed Ankara would next year issue a declaration it would update its existing protocol with the EU to include Cyprus. This will not amount to recognition, but it will be enough to kick-start talks on Turkey's membership."
More:The Australian: Editorial: Turkey plays its union card [December 20, 2004]
