Greek Cypriots seek EU help in opening Turkey's ports

THE Greek Cypriot administration has filed a complaint with the European Union concerning Turkey's refusal to allow entry at its ports and airports to goods from Greek Cyprus, which claims the policy is damaging to their naval transportation sector.

The Greek Cypriots presented the official complaint for discussion ahead of a meeting of EU transportation, telecommunications and energy ministers, the Anatolia news agency reported.

The document argues that Turkey's policy undermines the Greek Cypriot administration's power to negotiate in international organisations because it causes their share in the global market to deteriorate. The Turkish policy is also said to hinder the aspirations of Greek Cyprus to become a naval transportation hub in the eastern Mediterranean.

According to Greek Cypriot estimates presented to the EU ministers, the Turkish ban costs the Greek Cypriot economy EUR100 million (US$131.2 million) annually, said a report in Istanbul's newspaper Today's Zaman.

"Turkey refuses to open its ports and airports to traffic from Greek Cyprus unless the EU implements their 2004 promise to allow trade with the Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot administration, internationally recognised as representing the entire island, as well as being a member of the EU since 2004, blocks the direct trade proposal, saying its implementation would mean recognition of the Turkish Cypriot state, which now rules the northern part of the island," said the Turkish newspaper.

The ports dispute is also said to be negatively affecting Turkey's accession bid to the European Union as the EU froze accession negotiations on eight out of 35 chapters due to Turkey's refusal to open its ports and airports to traffic from member Greek Cyprus.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier reiterated that Turkey will not open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels and goods unless the EU lifts its trade embargo on Turkish Cyprus at the same time. "If there's a simultaneous opening of ports and airports, then we'll be a part of it," Mr Erdogan was quoted as saying.

This is the second time in less than two months the Greek Cypriots complained about Turkey to the EU. At the EU ministers meeting in October Greek Cypriot representatives said Turkey's refusal to open its air space to Greek Cypriot planes forces their airlines to take longer routes.
(Source:www.schednet.com)