EU has two weeks to exhaust efforts for Turkey to meet EU obligations

The Finnish EU presidency pledged Monday that until the end of the month it would exhaust all efforts regarding its initiative to avert an EU – Turkey crisis, so that Turkey meets its EU obligations, by opening its ports and airports for Cypriot vessels and aircraft.
Lillikas, who attended the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council said that the EU presidency, responding to the position of many EU countries, committed itself that within two weeks it would conclude its efforts regarding its initiative.
“We hope that the initiative will bring positive results within the framework that has been determined. If not, then the Commission must begin a discussion to be followed by other discussions on political level by the EU 25 regarding a plan B”, he noted.
According to Lillikas, Cyprus shares the general impression among the EU 25 that a discussion should start the soonest possible on the political level, regarding Turkey’s obligations.
The main aim, he said, should be the good preparation of the December European Council conclusions so that efforts to reach a common position by the EU 25 are ahead of time.
This is the only way, he said, to avoid Turkey’s issue to monopolize the December European Council, as has been the case in the past.
Asked whether the Finnish EU presidency would call for proximity talks, Lillikas said that according to his knowledge, the Finnish do not plan such a procedure for obvious reasons.
“Since Turkey does not wish to participate, then during the coming two weeks, there would be some meetings and contacts like the ones before the 5th and 6th of November”, he said.
Lillikas added that the Cypriot government has worked with the EU presidency in detail on all aspects concerning the Finnish proposals.
“We can not agree to suspend relevant chapters as this is not a sanction and it has no relevant effect”, he said.
Lillikas added that on the other hand, the government of Cyprus does not seek a total suspension of the EU accession talks if Ankara does not make concessions in the coming weeks.
“In this framework, we are ready to negotiate”, he said.
Lillikas held Monday separate meetings with his Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioja, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and his Belgian counterpart Karel De Gucht and represented Cyprus in the EU General Affairs and External Relations meeting.