TURKS WON'T PUNISH MALTA BECAUSE OF CYPRUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006402 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/SE AND EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV MT CY TU SUBJECT: TURKS WON'T PUNISH MALTA BECAUSE OF CYPRUS REF: A. BRUSSELS 4843 ¶B. ANKARA 6003 Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch. Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) MFA DDG for Multilateral Security Affairs Fatih Ceylan told PolMilCouns October 28 that a number of weeks earlier Ankara had delivered a demarche to Malta on the NATO-EU blockage issue. Turkey's message was that it would not stand in the way if Malta wanted to take the necessary steps to meet the legal requirements to participate in EU-NATO security discussions. Turkey was not encouraging Malta to do so, that was for Valletta to decide. However, Ankara wanted to reassure the Maltese that their actions blocking Cyprus and Malta from participating in NATO-EU fora was in no way aimed at Malta. When asked, Ceylan affirmed that Turkey was not prepared to do the same for Cyprus at this time. First, he insisted, the international community needed to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. Until then, Ankara would most likely block any application for PfP membership from Nicosia. ¶2. (C) Comment: Ceylan's comments suggest Ankara would be flexible in interpreting a declaration by Valletta that its pre-existing agreements remain in force, if one were made (ref A). However, we do not believe Turkey's acceptance of Malta in NATO-EU meetings portends any weakening in Ankara's resolve to keep Cyprus out (ref B). End comment. EDELMAN