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3/8/06

ABHABER.COM: EU-Turkey Troika to discuss Cyprus

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EU-Turkey Troika to discuss Cyprus

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is in Vienna today to represent Ankara in a Turkey-European Union Troika meeting today where the Cyprus knot is expected to be topic A. According to diplomatic sources, heated discussions might fill the atmosphere about the Cyprus issue during the Troika meeting because of the Greek Cypriots' uncompromising manner and Turkey's decision not to take further steps before Greek Cyprus over the dispute on the divided island despite Ankara's obligation to open its ports and harbors to the Greek Cypriots this year.

While Turkish sources expressed their concern that Turkey's entry talks might be suspended if Greek Cyprus continues to act the same way in the future, they told The New Anatolian that Gul will express Ankara's disappointment over the EU's decision to approve direct aid regulations for Turkish Cypriots by decoupling it from direct trade. EU officials, for their part are expected to stress the necessity for Turkey to approve and implement the Ankara Protocol (extending the Customs Union agreement to the 10 new members of the EU, including the Greek Cypriot administration) and to note Turkey's refusal to dock a Greek Cypriot ship in Mersin.

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