DESIX: Cyprus will Cost Turkey’s AKP a Lot

An analysis released by the organization pointed out that the terrorist organization the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) continues to exist in northern Iraq and the situation in Iraq increases concerns that it might create problems for Turkey’s security.

The analysis notes that despite little progress on the Cyprus issue, Turkey will start membership negotiations with the European Union (EU) on October 2005 as planned, but the Greek Cypriots are trying to get more sacrifices from Turkey. Indicating that international pressure will be applied to the Turkish government for the solution of the Cyprus issue, the analysis states: "Hawk-like attitudes of the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) will not facilitate Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government’s job. Inclusion of the Greek Cypriot side to the Customs Union signed with the EU without reaching a solution will cost the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government heavily." The DESIX report stressed as well that the Cyprus issue stands as the most crucial risk that Turkey will face in the short run during the EU membership process and asserted that internal political developments in France and Germany also necessitate Turkey to provide a rapid progress in the beginning phase of Turkey’s negotiation process.

The DESIX report also said that the restriction of free movement of Turks by the EU and possible economic developments that Turkey accomplishes before membership might be enough to decrease European anxiety about immigrant flow.