TURKISH MFA U/S APAKAN INSISTS ON "AGREED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001538

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017
TAGS: PREL MARR EU NATO TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA U/S APAKAN INSISTS ON "AGREED
FRAMEWORK" FOR KOSOVO, ADMITS CYPRUS IS THE CRUX

REF: A. ANKARA 1457


B. ANKARA 1369

C. ANKARA 1205

D. ANKARA 1192

E. ANKARA 1052

Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: MFA U/S Ertugrul Apakan told Ambassador June
13 that Turkey will continue to insist that Agreed Framework
language must be included in Kosovo transition documents.
Turkey,s goal is to prevent the participation of Cyprus in
EU operations with NATO; the other issues Turkey has raised
(ESDP decision making, EDA, etc.) end up being secondary.
Turkey expects to receive proposals on NATO-EU matters when
EU Foreign Policy Chief Solana comes to Turkey on June 25,
but has low expectations. Ambassador told Apakan that
Turkey,s stance is causing serious problems for Allies and
warned it would be harmful to Turkey. END SUMMARY


2. (C) Apakan gave a positive assessment of the visit to
Ankara June 12 by NATO SYG Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. De Hoop
Scheffer came with an open mind and left understanding
Turkey,s point of view. In the discussion with us, Apakan
rehashed previous arguments about the centrality for Turkey
and Turkish foreign policy of NATO, especially at a hot time
for the region and the world. Turkey has been a long-time
security provider for Europe, and Turks are frustrated that
this contribution is not reciprocated when it comes to
Turkey,s interests. Apakan complained about ESDP and the
lack of a Turkish role in decision making, EDA, and security
and administrative arrangements. But the main issue is
Cyprus. The Europeans are trying to corner Turkey and force
it to make a tradeoff regarding Cyprus that it does not want
to make. NATO needs to show more solidarity with Turkey on
this matter.


3. (C) Apakan said that Turkish leaders do not understand
what is wrong with the Agreed Framework, which has existed
and evolved over the years and should continue to serve as
the basis for NATO-EU military relations. Established
procedures should not be jeopardized. Turkish leaders do not
understand why it cannot be applied to NATO-EU operations in
Kosovo and Afghanistan. Apakan complained about efforts to
dilute the Framework, which leaves out Malta and Cyprus.
Turkey has no problem with Malta's participation, but does
with Cyprus. If the EU operates a force on its own, Turkey
has no problem with Cypriot participation. As long NATO-EU
cooperation is the issue, Turkey has a say in the matter.


4. (C) Apakan compared the situation to that of the EU
Customs Union. As a Customs Union member, Turkey is affected
its decisions, but has no voice in decision making and is not
consulted, including on trade matters that can have a
significant impact on Turkey. The domestic opposition
complains about this, and it is right to do so. The same is
true with ESDP. Apakan claimed that Turkey is the third
largest contributor to EU missions, but has no policy setting
role. Despite explicit agreement to consult on matters
affecting the interests of bordering states, Turkey had not
been consulted with regard to EU security missions in Iraq
and Georgia. Turkish military leaders, he said, expect
better treatment from the EU. It doesn't help that the EU
suspended negotiations on eight chapters of the acquis last
year; this called into question its seriousness with Turkey.


5. (C) NATO DG Tomar Bayer stated that the immediate problem
is lack of agreement on the use of the Agreed Framework in
the Kosovo transition package. If these two words are used,
he and Apakan stated, there will be no issue.


6. (C) Ambassador reiterated US sympathy for Turkey's EU
complaints. We want to try to be helpful. But, he said,
Turkey,s approach is a problem for its European friends who
are both NATO allies and members of the EU, and he warned
against intransigence that could harm Turkey.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON