TURKISH MFA ON THE ANKARA AGREEMENT EXTENSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000879 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2015 TAGS: PREL CY TU SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA ON THE ANKARA AGREEMENT EXTENSION PROTOCOL REF: BRUSSELS 537 (U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Northeastern Mediterranean Affairs Acting DDG Bilman foresees no problems finalizing the text of the Ankara Agreement extension protocol. However, he told us the Commission has given the Turks contradictory information on whether or not Turkey needs to sign the protocol before it goes to the European Parliament. Bilman is certain Turkey will attach a reservation to the protocol stating acceptance does not constitute Turkish recognition of the Republic of Cyprus (ROC) and will submit the protocol to the Turkish Parliament. Bilman claimed EC officials told the Turks that signing the protocol requires Turkey to open its ports and airports to ROC vessels and aircraft; Bilman says this is "completely unacceptable" to Turkey. End Summary. MFA Foresees No Problems with the Text -------------- ¶2. (C) Bilman told us Turkey wants to begin negotiating the protocol text at the beginning of March. Bilman estimates negotiations will take a month but does not anticipate problems finalizing the text. His instructions, he said, are to finalize the text as early as possible. Contradictory Information About When Turkey Needs to Sign -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) However, Bilman told us that the European Commission is giving Turkey contradictory and confusing signals about the procedure it wants Turkey to follow after the protocol text is final. Bilman claims the Turks have been told both that they do not need to sign (for the Turks, there is no difference between initialing and signing) the protocol before it goes to the European Parliament, and that they do need to sign it before it is presented to the European Parliament. ¶4. (C) Bilman attributes the two different responses to Greek Cypriot pressure to make Turkey sign before the protocol goes to the European Parliament. When Turkey signs, Bilman is certain Turkey will add a reservation declaring that the protocol does not constitute Turkish recognition of the ROC. If the reservation is attached when the protocol goes to the European Parliament, approval will be more difficult. Bilman also said the protocol will be submitted to Turkey's Parliament. ¶5. (C) Bilman claimed the MFA asked the Commission for a written statement clarifying the procedure but has not received a response. Opening Ports and Airports "Completely Unacceptable" -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Bilman claimed EC Enlargement DG Barbaso and EC Turkey/Cyprus Director Mirel told Turkish EU Ambassador Demiralp February 10 that signing the extension protocol requires Turkey to open up its ports and airports to ROC ships and planes. Bilman declared this "completely unacceptable" to Turkey. EDELMAN