Turkey is still obliged to let Cypriot ships enter its ports as part of the country’s EU accession process, regardless of the deal with the EU to restrict migration flows into Europe, stated UK Minister for Europe, David Lidington on Thursday.
Lidington’s letter was addressed to Sir Roger Gale, head at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus.
Lidington noted that EU member states had agreed unanimously with Turkey on a plan to end irregular migration. “As part of its EU accession process, Turkey remains obligated under the Ankara Protocol to open its ports to Cypriot vessels – something it has yet to do.”
The letter reiterates that the UK Government continues to urge Turkey to meet all its responsibilities for accession including on the issue of the Ankara Protocol, and that it “will continue to do so.”
Lidington further noted: “Ultimately, the best way to resolve the issue of the Ankara Protocol is to secure a reunited Cyprus through a just and lasting settlement.”
He repeated that the UK continues to support the UN-led process, and the efforts of the two communities, towards that end. “As the Foreign Secretary [Philip Hammond] said during his visit to Cyprus in November 2015, the UK will continue to do whatever we can to help,” added Lidington.
Recent meetings
The Minister also stated that British ministers and officials raise the Cyprus issue with their Turkish counterparts, as the Prime Minister [David Cameron] and Hammond did in recent meetings with their respective counterparts.
Lidington’s letter was a response to a previous communication by Gale, who had highlighted concerns raised by former President of the Cyprus Ship-owners President, George Mouskas, about restrictions on the use of Turkish ports by Cyprus-flagged ships and other ships associated with the Republic.
The Minister for Europe outlined in his letter that he was aware of the concerns of Mouskas as well as those raised by Doros Partasides, a well-known photographer in the UK Cypriot community, who had written to Cameron in January.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-led talks resumed in May last year aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.
Source: Independent Balkan News Agency
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