/CORRECTED REPEAT/POLITICS-EU: ‘Constructive Ambiguity’ for Turkey, Greece and Cyprus

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Analysis - Wes Jonasson

ATHENS, Dec 13 1999 (IPS) - The European Union (EU) Summit at Helsinki over the weekend of December 10-11 announced what some call “historic” decisions regarding future relations with Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus using an approach of constructive ambiguity.

The talks faced decades-old problems between the three, and which – at the same time – ended by giving something to everyone.

Most importantly, Turkey was finally included in an expanded list of candidate countries after being rebuffed at Luxembourg just two years ago. The EU named thirteen candidates within a single framework, which, on paper at least, put all on an equal footing.

At the same time, the EU stipulated that outstanding disputes must be solved peacefully in accordance with the United Nations Charter; and that, if necessary, unresolved issues be brought to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

It stated that the European Council would review all such matters as they relate to accession; and try to resolve them through the use of the court not later than by the end of 2004.

Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit arrived at Helsinki from Ankara at midday on Saturday.

While pleased at his nation’s new candidacy – which he described as Turkey’s historic birthright – immediately stated, “We cannot accept the implication … that problems between us and Greece have to be taken to (the International Court of Justice in) The Hague by 2004 at the latest.”

Ecevit also took exception to the European Council’s decision not to suspend the candidacy of a divided Cyprus – the accession of which is relatively advanced – while problems remain unresolved between Turkish- occupied north Cyprus and the internationally recognised Greek- Cypriot south.

Greek prime minister Costas Simitis had decided at an inner cabinet meeting earlier in the week to reserve Athens’ right to veto Ankara’s candidacy until after having talks in Helsinki.

He, and Greek foreign minister George Papandreou, had urged that Turkey be provided with a detailed “road map” which would stipulate specific pre-conditions that Turkey must satisfy before gaining admission.

The road map was to cover Cyprus problems, problems between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean, and Turkey’s approach to minority issues and human rights.

Simitis’ intensive lobbying efforts with the EU’s Finnish president (until Dec 31) , Paavo Liponen, on the first such occasion that Finland was very much in the limelight, did not yield the results Athens wanted.

But it was enough for the socialist Prime Minister who has been under U.S. and EU pressure to ease Greece’s stance on Turkey’s entry – even though Greek national elections are less than four months away.

Simitis sought out Ecevit on Saturday to shake hands and later presented him with a symbolic olive tree. He stated, “I believe Turkey’s candidacy will contribute to better co-operation in the region; and I hope that it will be the start of new relations between Turkey and the EU and between Turkey and Greece.”

Concerning Cyprus, the European Council stressed that a settlement would facilitate the accession of Cyprus; but that if at the end of accession negotiations no settlement has been reached, the council would decide on admission without that being a precondition. It simply said that it would “take account of all relevant factors”.

Ecevit stated on Sunday that the clause is “absolutely harmful”; adding “… any change (in Turkey’s policy) is out of the question.”

In New York, where indirect proximity talks on Cyprus are being held under the auspices of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, an irritated Rauf Denktash – president of the breakaway Turkish- Cypriot republic – accused the EU of having made a wrong decision because of what he called “Greek blackmail”.

His opposite number – Greek-Cypriot president Glafcos Clerides – hailed Helsinki’s decision and stated, “It makes absolutely clear that the solution of problems must be by peaceful means and that … Turkey must demonstrate that they accept and implement human rights.”

Even U.S. President Bill Clinton had spoken over the telephone to key EU leaders and to Ecevit and Simitis to encourage an outcome that will promote ever-elusive stability in southeast Europe.