Turkey to freeze EU ties if Cyprus gets EU presidency

Turkey to freeze EU ties if Cyprus gets EU presidency

www.reuters.com

(Reuters) - EU-candidate Turkey will freeze relations with the European Union if Cyprus is given the EU presidency in 2012, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay was quoted as saying by the state-run news agency Anatolian late on Saturday.

The comments could signal a new low point in ties between the European Union and Turkey which began accession talks to the bloc in 2005.

They also come at a time of heightened tension in the eastern Mediterranean where Turkey is locked in a row with Cyp

(visit the link for the full news article)

It looks like it's becoming more and more evident that Turkey had no real interest in joining the EU.
So now it should be interesting to see how far Turkey intends on flexing military muscle, both against Israel and Cyprus (and by proxy, Greece).

Things are getting real tense in Easter Europe/Middle East.

www.reuters.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

EU card doesn't work it's charm on Turkish populace anymore .



There goes the last Ace from the Greek hands in this game of poker .

Originally posted by Konstantinos
It looks like it's becoming more and more evident that Turkey had no real interest in joining the EU.
So now it should be interesting to see how far Turkey intends on flexing military muscle, both against Israel and Cyprus (and by proxy, Greece).
Things are getting real tense in Easter Europe/Middle East.

The Turkish policy for EU membership is based on access to markets and development aid opportunity. The EU is the biggest trading partner for Turkey and the Turks are dependent on the EU on that basis. The EU is not dependent on the Turks.

This is just high politics as Turkey does not recognise Cyprus as a state. Shame, because it is a significant stumbling block and will continue to spike Turkish aspirations. If I recall, there are a number of Cyprus-related conditions which Turkey must comply with.

The Turkish threat will be a hollow one. It will excite the nations in the EU who don’t want Turkish membership and may complicate relationships with those who have been supportive of them. In the long run it merely highlights Turkish intransigence.

Whether this can be distilled down to Turkey flexing its military muscle is moot. In fact, regardless of the flaws of Turkey and Israel, both nations are democratic. As a rule democracies tend to find peaceful solutions. There are discussions on these Boards predicting a Turkish / Israeli conflict, but these are from armchair geeks who like to think it’ll happen as some pay-back for Israel. These people will be disappointed because in the cold light of day both nations will restrain or be restrained.

Panic over.

Originally posted by 23432


EU card doesn't work it's charm on Turkish populace anymore .

There goes the last Ace from the Greek hands in this game of poker .

I really do hope Turkey does suspend ties with the EU.
Because it will be handing Greece, Cyprus, Germany, France, and every other EU country that doesn't want Turkey to join, the single biggest victory over that issue.

In the process Turkey will sink it's own economy.
The Turkish trade surplus is already imbalanced in favor of imports(in to Turkey).
Turkey is a source of cheap labor for the EU manufacturing giants. They setup factories in Turkey to lower their production costs. Turkey then exports those products to the EU market.
By cutting ties, Turkey will cut it's trade links too.
Eastern Europe then becomes much more appealing to Renault and other industrial giants from the EU, where wages are just as low as in Turkey. They'll also be saving a tonne on transportation costs.

So please, Erdogan, cut ties. Because Cyprus will be getting the EU presidency in accordance with how the European Union operates.
Unfortunately for Turkey, the European Union does not operate based on threats and intimidation tactics from external parties.

Why be a small fish in the EU pond when they can be a big fish in the Middle East pond? With the decline of Egypt, and Iran on the rise (and since Iran and Turkey are getting close) they might see their future as a Mid East power broker.

Interestingly enough though Turkey seems to be playing both sides of the street.

A good way to get hit from traffic in both directions. Im curious how much of this might be related to the Palestinian issue? That vote is tomrrow.

reply to post by BLV12


eu is a failed union and most people want out of eu. eu is going to be in depression for many years. The real power players of the future are UK(due to the monarchy and Rothschild),Russia,China,Texas(I believe USA will disintegrate in the coming civil war.),Germany and Brazil.

UK has been ruling the West by proxy and many of the arab nations indeed.USA was its attack dog since 1913.

Apparently the other shoe just dropped.... like I and others were saying...

Turkey Predicts Alliance With Egypt as Regional Anchors

ANKARA, Turkey — A newly assertive Turkey offered on Sunday a vision of a starkly realigned Middle East, where the country’s former allies in Syria and Israel fall into deeper isolation, and a burgeoning alliance with Egypt underpins a new order in a region roiled by revolt and revolution.
The portrait was described by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey in an hourlong interview before he was to leave for the United Nations, where a contentious debate was expected this week over a Palestinian bid for recognition as a state. Viewed by many as the architect of a foreign policy that has made Turkey one of the most relevant players in the Muslim world, Mr. Davutoglu pointed to that issue and others to describe a region in the midst of a transformation. Turkey, he said, was “right at the center of everything.”

I find it humerous that they use the term Democracy in the manner they do while dictating to the EU on Cyprus.

Originally posted by Xcathdra


I find it humerous that they use the term Democracy in the manner they do while dictating to the EU on Cyprus.

edit on 19-9-2011 by Xcathdra because: (no reason given)

Yeah because EU is better then Turks , right ?


Just out of curiosity , do you know how many Rights pertaining to Turks have been withheld by the same EU ?

reply to post by USAisdevil


You really believe that because 4 nations in the EU are struggling economically that the entire union will fail?
Nevermind that, you think the USA will have a civil war that tears it apart? Fascinating! Can you start a new thread on this please?

Personally I think the whole world is in economic trouble, not just the EU and USA, both will survive and will prosper once again. It may take a while, but I think it will happen.

Anyhow, back on topic. I suspect that this will be the end of any EU hopes that Turkey may have had. They will burn their bridge here and will be ostracized from EU initiatives.

reply to post by Konstantinos



Turks never believed that they would be allowed to participate in EU markets as fully fledged members with equal rights .


This is nothing new to Turks , they are used to being treated as second class human beings by EU.

Let's face it , most EU people actually believe that they are better than the " Turks " .

Such a superiority complex costed Konstantin his throne in waaaay back .

reply to post by USAisdevil


What ‘upcoming American civil war’? Your name is “usaisdevil” so I can safely assume that you are not an American or probably even been to this country. Please explain how we will have a civil war? There is nothing in this country tearing us apart as a people; we are solidly united from Boston to Reno. We have our political quarrels but nothing that threaten our union. You are dreaming of a utopia world on Earth without the US; remember what happens every time people try to create utopians on this planet.

OP: Turkey is doing exactly what I expected it to do and that is form an alliance with Egypt. An Islamist government is expected to take over whenever the elections occur with the Muslim Brotherhood becoming the new power. These people are itching for a war with Israel. Turkey will take any desperate mutt as an ally in the region for their conquest to resurrect an Ottoman Empire. Expect Iran and the Hezbollah government of Lebanon to be invited to their (Turkey) side.

This could easily be 1 or more of 3 things. 1) Turkey is just posturing to get a stronger voice for something, 2) Turkey wants a regional war with Israel for whatever reasons, and/or 3) Turkey wants its old Ottoman Empire back and sees these revolutions as the prime opportunity.

Originally posted by 23432


Just out of curiosity , do you know how many Rights pertaining to Turks have been withheld by the same EU ?

Is it the same amount that the Turks have witheld from the Kurds?

reply to post by 23432


You seem to speak for the entire populace of Turkey, wow!
Generalizations never work.
I could sit back and declare that all people in Europe view Turks as war-mongering barbarians, but I would be mistaken.

Do you see why your statement is flawed?

Any and all members of the EU are equal, they share the same currency, protection and trade laws. Yes there are some economic trouble spots (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Ireland) but they have every rights as the big economic powerhouses in the EU.

Originally posted by Xcathdra

Originally posted by 23432


Just out of curiosity , do you know how many Rights pertaining to Turks have been withheld by the same EU ?

Is it the same amount that the Turks have witheld from the Kurds?

not even close.
Turks have had their Kurdish President already .

When do you think the Greek Cypriots will elect a Turkish Cypriot as president of Cyprus ?

Really , lets try denying ignorance .

It might be ok to promote this anti-turk view on stormfront but I believe this is ATS .

reply to post by Konstantinos

Any and all members of the EU are equal, they share the same currency, protection and trade laws. Yes there are some economic trouble spots (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Ireland) but they have every rights as the big economic powerhouses in the EU.

Saying that is as realistic as saying that everyone in the US has the same rights because of the Constitution.

Not every country has it's rights within the EU, and actually, a lot of EU rules and laws crush smaller countries. Portugal is actually one of the finest examples of how the EU crushed small economies in favor of new entries to the EU and the growth of countries like Germany.

There are a few countries that people aren't considering as being at risk. France, for instance, is very close to the edge of turning bad, and Italy is even worst.

This Turkey thing is really, really concerning.

At first, it looked like Turkey not letting itself being bullied, but now, it's Turkey calling the shots and actually putting itself in a position of power.

Don't let prejudice told your judgment (this applies to all posters), Turkey is not a weak country, nor a weak power. It's has a strong economy, and if the EU isn't going to fuel it, they will just turn it to the Middle East. Erdogan is a superstar along the Middle East, and Turkey is in the best position possible to negotiate with ALL Middle East countries. If a country isn't fully supportive of Turkey, they are at least considering Turkey a best option in comparison to Western influences.

Turkey is slowly taking away all Western candies in the Middle East, and the EU and the US can't do anything about it, nor should.

That's why this whole discussion is very sensitive, and what will come out of this is concerning.

It's not JUST Turkey slamming the EU. It's Turkey slamming the door on the EU at a time where the EU NEEDS more money flow inside it's banks. Turkey has an economy of trillions, and the EU would love a piece of that cake directly.

And you have to look at the larger picture. It's not only about the reunification of Cyprus and a biff between the north and the south states.

The Greek Cyprus signed a concession to a US based Oil Company to exploit oil in the southern coast of Cyprus.

Turkey says that all resources on that area belong to BOTH Cyprus states, not only the Greek one.

And let me just drop the news that Turkey has (today) announced that it will also start their own drilling operations, since nobody gives a F about what is being said. To add to this "simple" situation, Turkey has (again) said that it will MILITARY ESCORT all Turk Cyprus vessels that will participate in those drillings operations.

It's starting to get serious. Greek Cyprus gave the idea that it would only start drilling operations next year or so, but recent reports have stated that they are ALREADY drilling in the area, for exploration objectives.

Again, this might look like a small biff. But if you add this, to the Turkey-Israel situation, plus the Turkey stand on many international situations, with episodes like the Turkish Cargo plane with aid being shot by rebel Lybian AA...

It's getting nasty, really fast... And honestly, it's not like they are on the loosing side this time.

Originally posted by 23432
Turks never believed that they would be allowed to participate in EU markets as fully fledged members with equal rights .

Yet the evidence is against your statement because the Turks have sought to meet the EU prerequisites and continue to do so. Turkey has transformed itself over the last decade BECAUSE of their attempts to be allowed to join the EU.

There is no reason to suggest that if Turkey meets the EU requirements then they'll be able to become equal participants in the EU. Unfortunately for Turkey, they are failing in some areas, not least around Cyprus. However, politics change and who knows what bullet the Turks will bite in a few years?

Regards

Originally posted by Konstantinos
reply to post by 23432

 

You seem to speak for the entire populace of Turkey, wow!
Generalizations never work.
I could sit back and declare that all people in the Europe view Turks as war-mongering barbarians, but I would be mistaken.

Do you see why your statement is flawed?

Any and all members of the EU are equal, they share the same currency, protection and trade laws. Yes there are some economic trouble spots (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Ireland) but they have every rights as the big economic powerhouses in the EU.

You don't like the taste of your medicine either , do you ?
Also rhetorical questions are just that . Rhetorical .


I like how you describe the innerworkings of EU .
Unfortunately , nothing could be further from the truth . Watch some Nigel Farage clips online and you will see why what you think of EU is actually a mistaken belief .

Turks can't be a part of Judeo-Christian only EU .

EU has to integrate their own black sheep(s) first untill then it's claims on universal values are just empty words I am afraid .

reply to post by paraphi

Yet the evidence is against your statement because the Turks have sought to meet the EU prerequisites and continue to do so. Turkey has transformed itself over the last decade BECAUSE of their attempts to be allowed to join the EU.

Just because they did what every other Islamic country in the world did (westernize enough in order to get accepted everywhere, by everyone) doesn't mean it was their objective to actually join the EU. That's just assuming that Turkey really needs or really wants the EU. That is false.

You look at it how Turkey is really trying to join EU, but is failling for reasons outside it's control. That's not true. If you look at the more recent EU members, it's not that hard to get into EU. Actually, being easy is one of the problems with the EU right now.

Low economies joining, giving nearly free labour is what is mining the EU basis.

Turkey did an exploratory ride. If they could join in and cash in, fine... If they didn't, they wouldn't compromise too much on their side.

Originally posted by paraphi

Originally posted by 23432
Turks never believed that they would be allowed to participate in EU markets as fully fledged members with equal rights .

Yet the evidence is against your statement because the Turks have sought to meet the EU prerequisites and continue to do so. Turkey has transformed itself over the last decade BECAUSE of their attempts to be allowed to join the EU.

There is no reason to suggest that if Turkey meets the EU requirements then they'll be able to become equal participants in the EU. Unfortunately for Turkey, they are failing in some areas, not least around Cyprus. However, politics change and who knows what bullet the Turks will bite in a few years?

Regards

My genuine wish is to have a Eurasian unity and as such I believe EU to be a stepping stone to a such unification .

kindly