Cyprus May Withold Consent to Open EU Membership Chapters To Turkey - President

Cyprus may withold its consent to the opening of new EU membership chapters to Turkey if it does not assist in the solution of the Cyprus problem, said President Demetris Christofias on Saturday.

"We are saying that Turkey can not pass unscathed in December. What does veto mean? We can say that we do not consent to the opening of other chapters, if this is equivalent to a veto” he said at the sidelines of a ceremony in Macedonia University in Greece.

“We want our European partners to persuade Turkey, first of all, to assist in the solution of the Cyprus problem and to draw out, in practice, policies and promises from Turkey for the implementation of its commitments," he added.

“We are fighting to convince the people that if and as long as Turkey insists on not assisting in the solution of the Cyprus problem and not fulfilling its obligations towards the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus, the EU cannot remain passive. Measures have to be taken. We will discuss what measures. There are various options of measures and we are also trying to see the reactions of our partners because it concerns the European Union. We will try to persuade through strong representations, which we are already making, that Turkey cannot pass unscathed, if it does not fulfill its obligations," said Mr. Christofias.