Compromise on Cyprus necessary

The EU, which attaches high importance to joint energy security policies with Turkey, is looking for ways to unblock the energy chapter. Belgian Ambassador to Ankara Pol De Witte, whose country will soon assume the rotating EU presidency, calls for more compromises on Cyprus. “I know it is not easy, but in order to have a solution and to unblock chapters, some gesture are needed between Cyprus and Turkey.

Although it is unfair that Turkey’s European Union accession process and the Cyprus issue have become linked, Belgium’s ambassador admitted their de facto linkage made it necessary to find a quick solution on Cyprus.

“We are looking for ways to open new chapters and to help the Turkish government,” De Witte said in an interview with the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, noting his country, as one of the founding fathers of the EU, is also ready to provide technical assistance to Turkey.

HurriyetDailyNews.com

11.03.2010