Verheugen presses Greek Cypriots to be more compromising

The Greek Cypriot daily reported that Verheugen visited Cyprus on Feb. 19 not only to show the EU’s support for the current negotiations but also to press the Greek side to be more compromising. “The Greek Cypriots shouldn’t be complacent, thinking that they’re going to join the EU no matter the talks’ outcome,” the daily quoted the EU commissioner as saying. “There are a number of countries ready to create new political obstacles for [Greek] Cyprus if they see the Greek Cypriots side doing less than their utmost in the talks. If Turkey fails to receive a beginning date for its membership negotiations this year due of lack of a solution on Cyprus, the situation will probably worsen. Ankara might then lose control, thus leading to the Turkish military’s gaining greater influence in politics. Such a development would adversely affect not only Cyprus but also the entire Mediterranean region.”