Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-11-30

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - COMMISSION - TURKEY

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - COMMISSION - TURKEY

The government is not pleased with the decision because we believe that it does not offer any form of pressure on Turkey to comply with its obligations, he pointed out, describing the recommendation as not helpful at all.

Papadopoulos said that the signal Ankara has received from Wednesdays decision is not strong.

There can be no effective pressure on Turkey without a timeframe for a re-evaluation of Ankaras stance, he added.

The Cypriot President said that everybody wants to send a strong message to Turkey and a message has been sent to Ankara, but it is not strong enough.

Moreover, everybody should wish for, if not an incentive, effective pressure which cannot be exerted without a timetable for a re-evaluation of Turkeys stand, in order to convince Turkey that it has to comply or it will be subject to other sanctions or more sanctions, he said.

Papadopoulos refrained from revealing his course of action in the coming days with regard to the governments handling of the situation.

I believe you all understand that I am not going to announce here and now how the government will move on the matter, he told the press, when questioned on future action.

On Wednesday, the European Commission said it was recommending a partial suspension of Turkey`s EU membership talks for refusing to open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft.

The Commission said eight out of 35 negotiating chapters would be put on hold.

EU member-state Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. Turkey, which aspires to join the EU, has so far refused to implement numerous United Nations calling for the immediate withdrawal of its troops from this east Mediterranean island Republic.

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