(8 Dec 2006) SHOTLIST
1. Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat walking into office of Turkish Cypriot representation in Brussels
2. Close up of sign at Turkish Cypriot Representation in Brussels
3. Set up shot of Talat, shows back view of interviewer
4. SOUNDBITE (English): Mehmet Ali Talat, Turkish Cypriot President:
"It is a proposal to open, I mean, open this one, open another one and open two others. I mean, in order to create an understanding, a common understanding in the region. This is not conditional. I mean you cannot interpret it as a condition. It is just a package. Opening of four ports, airports, in order to create a good climate in the region and sentiment of cooperation which is very crucial and we need."
5. Close up Turkish and Turkish Cypriot flags
6. SOUNDBITE (English): Mehmet Ali Talat, Turkish Cypriot President:
"Actually the deadlock was quite unfair, as I said, because (of) what happened. The demands of Greek Cypriot side became the precondition for Turkey's European course. This is totally unfair. There is no rationale behind this. Greek Cypriots want everything. They want to get the North also. So, if you make, as European Union, this a precondition in front of Turkey's European course, then deadlock is inevitable."
7. Cutaway to photographer
8. Close up Talat
9. Medium shot Talat
STORYLINE
Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat on Friday defended Turkey's last-minute bid to avert a partial freeze in its negotiations for membership of the European Union, saying it signalled Ankara's goodwill to resolve the stalemate over Cyprus.
The Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, who received Turkey's proposal in Helsinki on behalf of the EU on Thursday, said it was inadequate.
But Talat, who was in Brussels for talks with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, said the offer included the opening of a sea port to Greek Cypriot trade, followed by an airport if the EU moved to lift the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot side of the divided island.
Cyprus however, has delayed the implementation of the deal, and still opposes allowing direct trade and flights to the northern half of the island.
Talat told the Associated Press Television News that Turkey's offer should not be seen as conditional, but as part of a package of negotiations.
He said it was wrong to make the demands of Greek Cypriots a pre-condition of Turkey's progression to membership of the EU.
"This is totally unfair. There is no rationale behind this. Greek Cypriots want everything. They want to get the North also," he said. "So if you make, as European Union, this a precondition in front of Turkey's European course, then deadlock is inevitable."
EU diplomats in Brussels have resumed talks to try and bridge deep divisions over whether to impose a partial suspension in Turkey's entry negotiations, but they will not be discussing Turkey's offer to break the deadlock.
A final decision is expected to be made on whether to suspend talks with Ankara on key policy matters when Finland - which currently holds the EU Presidency - hosts an EU leaders' summit on December 14.
Turkey signed an agreement in 2005 to open its ports and airports to ten new EU members, which included Cyprus. But it has so far refused to receive goods from Cyprus, which remains divided between an internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government in the south and a Turkish Cypriot breakaway state in the north.
The northern part of the island has been under a crippling trade embargo.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded following a failed coup staged by supporters of union with Greece.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Ещё видео!