US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA660

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000660 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2010 
TAGS: PREL, EU, TU, LO 
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA ON TURKISH ACCESSION: "YES, BUT" 
 
REF: STATE 150087 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Lawrence R. Silverman for reason 
s 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. (C) On August 16, Deputy Chief of Mission raised reftel 
issue of Turkish EU accession with MFA Director for Common 
Foreign and Security Policy Anna Turenicova and European 
Correspondent Lubomir Rehak.  Turenicova explained that 
within the EU there were three camps on Turkish accession: 
"yes," "no," and "yes, but..."  Slovakia was and still is in 
the "yes, but" category.  This means that Slovakia supports 
eventual full membership in the EU for Turkey, but will 
insist on fulfillment of all conditions in the strictest 
sense.  She said that the statement of non-recognition of 
Cyprus which Turkey issued when signing the extension 
protocol was not helpful.  Rehak added that it was 
unimaginable that a state wishing to join the EU would 
continue to refuse to recognize an EU member.  DCM reminded 
both of Turkey's forthcoming position on a Cyprus settlement 
and the GOT's imminent expansion of the customs union to 
Cyprus.  Turinicova told DCM that the COREPER meeting on 
Turkey had been postponed until September 7, and in her 
opinion the continual postponement was not a solution. 
Member states needed to discuss Turkey and agree on a common 
position soon. 
 
2. (C) Rehak said that it was unfortunate that the timing led 
to a linkage between Turkish and Croatian accession talks in 
the minds of the Slovak public.  It would be unpalatable to 
Slovaks if Turkey were to start talks while Croatia was still 
on hold.  He asked if we had any information about ICTY's 
upcoming evaluation of Croatia's progress. 
 
3. (C) Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey Ali Tuygan meets 
with MFA State Secretary Jozsef Berenyi August 17 in 
Bratislava.  DCM met with the Turkish DCM August 16 to 
encourage Tuygan to stress what the GOT had done on Cyprus 
and internal reforms.  The Turks will provide us a readout of 
the Tuygan meeting.  Slovak PolDir Miroslav Lajcak also plans 
an October visit to Turkey for consultations. 
VALLEE 
 
 
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