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Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Window of opportunity over trade and aid

"Window of opportunity over trade and aid
By Constantine Markides

THERE is an upcoming “window of opportunity” to decouple the EU trade and aid measures for Turkish Cypriots, the Austrian Chancellor and President of the European Council Wolfgang Schuessel said after a meeting with President Papadopoulos in Vienna yesterday.

Austria, which currently holds the six-month rotating EU Presidency, has more reservations about Turkey’s admission to the EU than most EU member states. Austria’s demand last October that Turkey only be granted ‘privileged partnership’ status infuriated Ankara and almost derailed the opening of membership talks for Turkey but Austria eventually withdrew the condition. "

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