C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000613

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL 11/22/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL EUN LU TU
SUBJECT: JUNCKER TELLS TURKEY TO ADMIT GREEK CYPRIOT SHIPPING


Classified by DCM Steven H. Kraft, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C/NF) During their November 14 private meeting Luxembourg Prime
Minister Jean Claude Juncker told Turkish Economy Minister Ali
Babacan that Turkey should remove a major obstacle to its EU
accession woes by admitting Greek Cypriot ships and aircraft to a
designated port of entry under a plan proposed by the Finnish EU
presidency, according to Juncker's diplomatic advisor Mike Hentges.
Juncker pressed his case by telling Babacan that Turkey, as the
larger nation, was obliged to act first in any compromise with
Cyprus, Hentges said.


2. (SBU) Comment: Juncker's backroom session with Babacan was typical
of his role as the dean of EU mediators. Although the Luxembourg
government is generally supportive of Turkish EU accession, it may
have its work cut out for it convincing its electorate. In a recent
poll, approximately 60 per cent of Luxembourgers said they opposed
Turkey's entry into the EU.

WAGNER