"Customs protocol may be signed in ‘next few days’
By Myria Antoniadou in Brussels
THE PROTOCOL extending Turkey’s customs union agreement to all 25 member states, including Cyprus, is now before the Turkish President Ahmet Sezer and may even be signed within the next few days, the Mail has learned.
Sources said Ali Babacan, Turkey’s Finance Minister and chief negotiator in the negotiations scheduled to open with the EU on October 3, has been giving assurances to this effect during his meetings in Brussels over the past couple of days.
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and Greek Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas are among the officials Babacan met here.
The signing of the Ankara Agreement’s additional protocol is difficult for the Turkish government as it is seen as a de facto recognition of Cyprus, which is why Turkey is expected to issue a statement saying this does not constitute recognition, something it has consistently done in the past. "
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