Press reflects Cyprus-Turkey split

Turkey's foreign minister (left) flew in when he was sure of a deal

Cypriot newspapers are upbeat about the deal reached in Luxembourg on Monday on Turkey's EU bid, believing Cyprus' interests have been safeguarded.

In contrast, Turkish papers are resigned and pessimistic, seeing the wrangle as the beginning of a long and difficult journey that remains fraught with pitfalls for Ankara.

Turkey completed its first step in accession talks, but only after Cyprus insisted that Ankara first be reminded of its obligations.

EDITORIAL IN CYPRUS' I SIMERINI

The solution that has been achieved clearly rewards Nicosia's positions. Cyprus should not be considered as a given for anyone. Cyprus pursues its interests seriously and responsibly and insists on positions that concern all of our partners.

CYPRUS MAIL

Cyprus Achieved Its Goal Of Firing A Warning Shot... The accord, reached after hours of haggling, meant Turkey could provisionally conclude negotiations on Monday on the first and least contentious of the 35 policy areas into which EU law is divided. But it put down a marker that the Cyprus issue would dog Ankara's accession marathon every step of the way, since each of the 70 EU decisions to open or close policy 'chapters' requires unanimity, giving Nicosia a veto.

EDITORIAL IN CYPRUS' KHARAVYI

This is the last [EU] warning on Ankara meeting its obligations and that the EU will be very strict with Turkey ... [Turkey] must realise that its compliance with the acquis communautaire [EU members' rights and obligations] cannot be separated from its obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus.

COMMENTARY IN TURKEY'S HURRIYET

The number of full members of the EU is 25. Each of those 25 countries, one by one, has a right to 71 vetoes; 25 times 71 equals 1,775.

Northern Cyprus is creating facts while southern Cyprus is engaged in obstruction Berliner Zeitung European press review

So 1,775 is the numerical value of Turkey's long and narrow path to EU membership.

The Greek Cypriot administration attempted to exercise the first of its 71 vetoes yesterday, even in the first round.

COMMENTARY IN TURKEY'S POSTA

No matter what they say or do to prevent it, Turkey's march towards the EU continues. The latest developments reveal that walking this 'long and narrow path' will involve many difficulties. However we are all very impatient. We want everything to happen immediately. When we encounter the slightest difficulty, we immediately become desperate.

COMMENTARY IN TURKEY'S YENI SAFAK

The difficult hours we have experienced before all critical meetings with the EU were also experienced yesterday. I suppose this is the destiny of our Europe adventure. Before every important decision, first the strings are almost cut then, after hours of diplomatic activity, we get back on track again.

COMMENTARY IN TURKEY'S SABAH

The esteemed members of the EU, not considering it beneficial openly to block Turkey, once again hid behind the Greek Cypriots. And all this was over the chapter on 'Science and Technology', supposedly the easiest of the 35 chapters. Just think what might happen in opening and closing other chapters.

COMMENTARY IN TURKEY'S CUMHURIYET

The person who was made to wait for hours to go to the EU General Affairs and International Relations Council in Luxembourg is not just anybody. It was the Republic of Turkey as a judicial person.

The AKP [Justice and Development Party] government was punished for its late realisation that it has followed an inexperienced and lacklustre strategy, allowing the personal dignity of our 70m citizens to be trampled on, according to a plan prepared jointly by the Greek and Greek Cypriot governments.

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