CUMHURIYET- Columnist Cuneyt Arcayurek writes on EU Commission for Enlargement, Gunther Verheugen’s statements regarding Cyprus. A summary of his column is as follows:
During his visit to Ankara, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Gunther Verheugen has delved in another matter of crucial importance to Turkey, Cyprus, in addition to the abolition of death penalty, education mother tongue. He stated that the EU would admit Greek Cypriot Administration into the Union if there is a solution or not. The Eu Commissioner believes that the Greek Cypriot administration represents the entire island. Whatever we say or believe have no importance regarding the issue. Both the UN and the EU believe that the Greek Cypriot administration means Cyprus Republic. The Commissioner came, sowed the seeds of dispute and left. TRNC President Rauf Denktas who is continuing a dialogue with the Greek Cypriot administration leader is fuming. Just as a compromise was being reached on every issue, the words of Verheugen is creating dispute. Why should the Greek Cypriots which have the EU membership in their pocket agree to a compromise or a partnership? According to an argument, Greek Cypriots are continuing the dialogue just to show that they are not the intransigent party. The EU also began to ask for the abolition of death penalty. As it kept silent when the amendment to the constitution abolishing capital punishment excluding crimes of terror and crimes against the stated was passed, why did the EU began to impose the abolition of the death penalty unconditionally? Were the reasons for such a change was asked of the EU? Is this change closely concerned with the politicization efforts of the PKK or their aim to support its politicization?
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION