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