US embassy cable - 04ANKARA6402

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TURKS WON'T PUNISH MALTA BECAUSE OF CYPRUS

Identifier: 04ANKARA6402
Wikileaks: View 04ANKARA6402 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Ankara
Created: 2004-11-12 14:16:00
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Tags: PREL PGOV MT CY TU
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006402 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/SE AND EUR/RPM 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, MT, CY, TU 
SUBJECT: TURKS WON'T PUNISH MALTA BECAUSE OF CYPRUS 
 
REF: A. BRUSSELS 4843 
 
     B. ANKARA 6003 
 
Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch.  Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) MFA DDG for Multilateral Security Affairs Fatih Ceylan 
told PolMilCouns October 28 that a number of weeks earlier 
Ankara had delivered a demarche to Malta on the NATO-EU 
blockage issue.  Turkey's message was that it would not stand 
in the way if Malta wanted to take the necessary steps to 
meet the legal requirements to participate in EU-NATO 
security discussions.  Turkey was not encouraging Malta to do 
so, that was for Valletta to decide.  However, Ankara wanted 
to reassure the Maltese that their actions blocking Cyprus 
and Malta from participating in NATO-EU fora was in no way 
aimed at Malta.  When asked, Ceylan affirmed that Turkey was 
not prepared to do the same for Cyprus at this time.  First, 
he insisted, the international community needed to end the 
isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.  Until then, Ankara would 
most likely block any application for PfP membership from 
Nicosia. 
 
2. (C) Comment:  Ceylan's comments suggest Ankara would be 
flexible in interpreting a declaration by Valletta that its 
pre-existing agreements remain in force, if one were made 
(ref A).  However, we do not believe Turkey's acceptance of 
Malta in NATO-EU meetings portends any weakening in Ankara's 
resolve to keep Cyprus out (ref B).  End comment. 
EDELMAN 

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