US embassy cable - 05ANKARA879

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000879 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2015 
TAGS: PREL, CY, TU 
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA ON THE ANKARA AGREEMENT EXTENSION 
PROTOCOL 
 
REF: BRUSSELS 537 
 
(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O. 
12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Northeastern Mediterranean Affairs Acting DDG Bilman foresees 
no problems finalizing the text of the Ankara Agreement 
extension protocol.  However, he told us the Commission has 
given the Turks contradictory information on whether or not 
Turkey needs to sign the protocol before it goes to the 
European Parliament.  Bilman is certain Turkey will attach a 
reservation to the protocol stating acceptance does not 
constitute Turkish recognition of the Republic of Cyprus 
(ROC) and will submit the protocol to the Turkish Parliament. 
 Bilman claimed EC officials told the Turks that signing the 
protocol requires Turkey to open its ports and airports to 
ROC vessels and aircraft; Bilman says this is "completely 
unacceptable" to Turkey.  End Summary. 
 
MFA Foresees No Problems with the Text 
-------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C) Bilman told us Turkey wants to begin negotiating the 
protocol text at the beginning of March.  Bilman estimates 
negotiations will take a month but does not anticipate 
problems finalizing the text.  His instructions, he said, are 
to finalize the text as early as possible. 
 
Contradictory Information About When Turkey Needs to Sign 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
3.  (C) However, Bilman told us that the European Commission 
is giving Turkey contradictory and confusing signals about 
the procedure it wants Turkey to follow after the protocol 
text is final.  Bilman claims the Turks have been told both 
that they do not need to sign (for the Turks, there is no 
difference between initialing and signing) the protocol 
before it goes to the European Parliament, and that they do 
need to sign it before it is presented to the European 
Parliament. 
 
4.  (C) Bilman attributes the two different responses to 
Greek Cypriot pressure to make Turkey sign before the 
protocol goes to the European Parliament.  When Turkey signs, 
Bilman is certain Turkey will add a reservation declaring 
that the protocol does not constitute Turkish recognition of 
the ROC.  If the reservation is attached when the protocol 
goes to the European Parliament, approval will be more 
difficult.  Bilman also said the protocol will be submitted 
to Turkey's Parliament. 
 
5.  (C) Bilman claimed the MFA asked the Commission for a 
written statement clarifying the procedure but has not 
received a response. 
 
Opening Ports and Airports "Completely Unacceptable" 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
6.  (C) Bilman claimed EC Enlargement DG Barbaso and EC 
Turkey/Cyprus Director Mirel told Turkish EU Ambassador 
Demiralp February 10 that signing the extension protocol 
requires Turkey to open up its ports and airports to ROC 
ships and planes.  Bilman declared this "completely 
unacceptable" to Turkey. 
EDELMAN