A hectic August in Europe
August has always meant a time of vacations for most Europeans. This year, the month is spotlighting significant negotiations on the European political stage, following the intervention of French Prime Minister Dominic de Villepin on Turkey’s non-recognition of Cyprus.
Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Athens on Thursday, so Greece and Cyprus can hammer out a “common stance” on this issue.
Having said that, it was entirely anticipated by Athens, Nicosia and other European capitals that Ankara would make a statement dissociating its signature of the protocol extending its customs agreement with the EU to all 25 member states from any recognition of Cyprus. British Prime Minister Tony Blair undoubtedly discussed this matter with Karamanlis and Papadopoulos (although this will likely never be officially confirmed). Papadopoulos and Karamanlis apparently made it quite clear what wording in Turkey’s statement they would not accept. Blair also had a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Blair evidently explained to Erdogan that, due to the negative climate prevailing in the European Commission, the wording of the statement would have to be clearly restrained. This is the strategy which countries holding the EU presidency always follow, and which Blair naturally followed, too.
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