JUNCKER TELLS TURKEY TO ADMIT GREEK CYPRIOT SHIPPING

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