"Elections On Cyprus
Published: 4/18/2006
BY MELIHA OKUR
SABAH- Turkish Cypriots are very calm. They support Turkey’s action plan and its stance against opening its harbors and airports to Greek Cypriots before their isolation is ended. They say that if well-known Turkish brands are to be sold to Greek Cypriots, we should transport them there. They are very right. After all, the screening process between Turkey and the European Union is underway. Why is opening four harbors and airports to Greek Cypriots the harbinger of a crisis? This issue should be explained to the Turkish public well. There are a lot of scenarios around the issue. Certainly people are confused. But I believe there’s one very serious scenario. Under it, Turkey’s European Union membership talks will be suspended. The reason for this is very simple: The Greek Cypriot administration has the right to hold onto leverage by saying that Turkey failed to meet the requirements of the Customs Union. If it wants, it might not start the talks on transportation and free movement of goods. However, Turkey is looking for a solution. If the airports and harbors are opened as the Greek Cypriot administration wants, economic life in the TRNC will come to a halt. What’s more, Turkey will lose a great political trump card. This is what scares the Turkish Cypriots. So they don’t want Turkey to retreat."
More:Elections On Cyprus
