"Straw: Turkey’s EU accession a means to a Cyprus solution
By Myria Antoniadou in Brussels
BRITISH Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has directly linked Turkey’s EU accession to a settlement in Cyprus. He also said the interests of both communities on the island should be accommodated.
Straw also strongly supported Turkey’s accession to the Union, saying that commitments undertaken must be met. However, he did acknowledge there must be a period of “digestion” with regard to further expansion.
Replying to questions in the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee in Brussels yesterday, in his capacity as Council President, Straw said “Turkey’s accession is not only important in its own sense, but also as a means, over time, to find a solution in Cyprus.”
The Foreign Secretary did not try to shy away from Britain’s knowledge, involvement and interests in Cyprus, words he himself used, admitting it is “part of our historical baggage”."
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