Claims are being made that the Cyprus problem could derail Turkey’s admission as a member of the EU by the end of the year. The Financial Times newspaper warned that the ensuing risks would be huge. “In Turkey, it could halt the country’s cultural march westward, which began 80 years ago under the rule of Kemal Ataturk, and instead empower Islamist and nationalist political forces.” The Financial Times published a commentary by Vicent Bonland and Kerin Hope on the Cyprus problem and Turkey’s EU negotiation process. Reserving a page for the issue, the newspaper reported that the Cyprus problem could be set as a precondition for Turkey to take further steps towards integration. “While a row between the Turkish and French last week over recognition of the Armenian Genocide has put another formidable obstacle in the way of Turkey joining the EU, Cyprus poses a much more immediate difficulty. It is possible that, by the end of this year, the problem will derail the admission of Turkey as an EU member,” the newspaper wrote.
The Financial Times also wrote that many EU diplomats now admit that it was a mistake to accept Greek Cypriot membership into the EU, as Turkey accuses the Union of reneging on promises to end the isolation of Turkish Cyprus. According to diplomats, the Turkish government, which will hold a general election next year, is stuck between refusing to make further compromises on Cyprus and keeping its EU negotiations on track.
