US intervenes in EU-Turkey debate

The US has questioned EU calls for Turkey to open its ports to Cypriot vessels by the end of the year.

Speaking just weeks ahead of an EU-Turkey showdown over the issue, Washington has questioned Brussels’ right to impose formal deadlines on Ankara.

“It is a factual observation, not an analytical one, that the language of October 3 [2005, the day Turkey's membership talks were formally launched] was not specific about deadlines,” senior US diplomat, Matthew Bryza is quoted as saying in the Guardian.

“The language is ambiguous and intentionally ambiguous so that the political process can take place [and] member states can take whatever decision they want.”

At a Brussels summit next month, EU leaders are expected to suspend parts of Turkey's EU membership negotiations if Ankara refuses to extend its customs union to Cyprus.

Ankara says it will not budge on the issue unless Brussels agrees to lift its trade embargo of Turkish occupied northern Cyprus.

The US is a keen supporter of Turkish EU entry but Bryza’s remarks have set him at odds with like-minded European governments. 

The UK supports Turkish EU entry but argues that punishment should be meted out in December if Ankara does not give ground on Cyprus.

Bryza has pressed the EU to continue negotiations on the 34 chapters still under discussion, without concluding them until Turkey moves.

“Maybe one option would be not closing rather than not opening [chapters],” he said.

• Previous article
• Next article