Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2006
83 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the Turkish authorities refusal to dock to a boat (details supplied) on 29 June 2006 in violation of international laws of the sea, as part of its continual campaign to impose unilateral restrictions on Cypriot vessels since 1987 and to deny rights of a sovereign EU State, despite its membership negotiations with the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34564/06]
View answerThe issue of access to Turkish ports for Cypriot vessels continues to create difficulties, not least in the context of Turkey's EU accession negotiations.
The June 2006 European Council recalled the need for Turkey to fulfil its obligations under the Association Agreement and the additional Ankara Protocol, which takes account of the accession of the new Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey's progress in fulfilling these obligations, which include the need to recognise the economic, maritime and navigational rights of all EU Member States, as well as its implementation of the revised Accession Partnership, will be evaluated by the European Commission in a report that is due to be published on 8 November. Based on the Commission's report, the November General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will review the enlargement process and the progress of the Turkish negotiations.
The Finnish Presidency is currently working on an initiative aimed at resolving the question of access to Turkish ports for Cypriot vessels in compliance with the Ankara Protocol. We fully support these efforts by the Presidency and hope that they will lead to a timely resolution of this issue.
With regard to enlargement, it has always been our policy to consider each candidate on the basis of its own merits. This principle will continue to underpin our approach to the negotiations with Turkey. While there are difficult issues to be dealt with in the course of these particular negotiations, Ireland believes that it is important for the Union to adhere to the commitments given to Turkey by successive European Councils. It is essential also that Turkey should fulfil its obligations, including the full implementation of the Ankara Protocol. Ireland expects Turkey to comply with the requirement to open its ports to vessels from all EU Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus. Failure to do so will have inevitable consequences for the progress of the accession negotiations.
