"Erdogan Snubbing Small EU Nations
By Selcuk Gultasli
Published: Monday 24, 2005
zaman.com
Rumors behind closed doors in Brussels are that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has caused several small European Unions (EU) nations to sulk.
Erdogan reportedly spoke only to the large EU member nations at the December 17th EU Summit and has been criticized for not keeping in touch with the small countries. The attitude of those small countries is affecting the Cyprus issue negatively as they have started to warm up to the Greek-Cypriot Administration particularly on the issue of the latest regulations to end the sanctions on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and provide financial aid to Turkish- Cypriots. The message they are sending is that nothing will be achieved without their permission.
Erdogan`s neglect of the small countries reportedly disturbs Luxemburg in particular as it is the EU's term president. Luxemburg Foreign Minister, Jean Asselborn, critized Erdogan during the summit saying, 'We are not bargaining for a carpet here.' "
ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER (2005012415890)