Greece, Greek Cyprus insist on recognition

The statements from Athens and Nicosia came as the EU is increasing the pressure on Ankara to settle the long-running Cyprus problem ahead of the bloc’s Dec. 17 summit when EU leaders will decide whether to start long-delayed accession talks with Turkey. Stylianidis, speaking in an interview on a British radio station, said Turkey should demonstrate in practice that it has met the Copenhagen criteria and the conditions mentioned in a progress report released by the EU Commission on Oct. 6, adding: "For example, the recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration by Turkey."

In Nicosia, a Greek Cypriot news agency quoted Chrysostomides as saying that the Greek Cypriot administration was conducting coordinated efforts via meetings abroad by Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos in order to achieve the best results in Brussels. Earlier, Greek Cypriots and Greece announced they would coordinate their stance towards the start of accession talks with Turkey on Dec. 17.

“The Greek Cypriots do not want to veto Turkey in Brussels, however, Turkey should act like Europeans,” Chrysostomides added.
Cyprus has been divided between Turkish and Greek Cypriots since 1974 when the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) intervened on the island to stop Greek Cypriot attacks on Turkish Cypriots. Turkey only recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC).
The island’s Greek Cypriot administration joined the EU in May calling itself the ”Cyprus Republic," following a referendum on both sides of the island in which a United Nations reunification plan was voted upon. Greek Cypriots said, "No" to the U.N. blueprint while the Turkish Cypriots said, "Yes," however, they were nevertheless excluded from the EU.

Ankara says it has fulfilled the Copenhagen criteria, the only condition for the start of the accession talks, in addition, the EU Commission confirmed Turkey’s readiness for negotiations on Oct.6.