Tuesday, August 30, 2005

EUpolitix.com - Paris turns up the heat on Turkey-Cyprus issue

"Paris turns up the heat on Turkey-Cyprus issue

French president Jacques Chirac has reiterated that Turkey should make “clarifications” on Ankara’s position towards Cyprus.

He told French ambassadors that Turkey’s line was within the letter of EU obligations but against the spirit of membership, report French newspapers.

European Parliament president Josep Borrell said Chirac’s doubts were more serious than German opposition candidate Angela Merkel's anti-Turkey stance, because it is a new development from an already elected head of state, the Spanish press note.

Meanwhile, the European Commission underlined that that there is no legal obligation for Turkey to recognise Greek Cyprus before starting accession talks with the EU 25."

EUpolitix.com - Paris turns up the heat on Turkey-Cyprus issue