By Fatih Altayli
Hurriyet- ''Initiatives regarding the expansion of the additional protocol of the Ankara Agreement to cover new (EU) members, which is a precondition for the start of EU-Turkey talks on October 3rd, will soon be launched'', Fatih Altayli, a columnist of the Hurriyet daily, writes.
In his article in today's edition of the ''Hurriyet'' daily, Altayli writes, ''Turkey was not 'enthusiastic' about this matter which will mean (de facto) recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration. But, EU was saying that it would not take a backward step, and 'this would not mean a recognition.' Upon EU's warnings during last month, Turkey had to launch some initiatives even if 'it was not willing to do so.' Talks on the extension of the additional protocol will begin in Brussels on March 2nd. Deniz Bolukbasi and Ertugrul Apakan will carry out the negotiations on behalf of Turkey.''
Altayli added in his article , ''Bolukbasi had the leading role in bargaining with the United States before the Iraq war, while Apakan is an expert on Cyprus. Bargaining on the additional protocol is expected to be completed within two months. Translation of the document into eight (EU) languages and its ratification by all the (member) countries will also be completed within the same period. So it won't be wrong if we say 'difficult days are ahead of the government'.''