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