[autom.vertaling] Speculaties over vertraging van de toetreding van de EU van Cyprus (en)
The conflict concerning Cyprus has come to the fore in Brussels again. According to a report by Reuters, the Commission is still considering whether to recommend the unrestricted entry of the divided island to the EU in its progress report due out on October 9th, reports die Presse.
The go-ahead is supposed to be given to only nine and not ten countries, with the aim being to wait until the Copenhagen Summit before any definitive indications are given. Such a move would greatly increase the political pressure for reunification.
However, a spokesperson for enlargement on Tuesday denied these speculations, saying, "there will be no different treatment for Cyprus." He went on to add that "there will be no postponement until the end of the year." The EU maintains the position "that a political solution to the Cyprus problem before accession is the preferred option for the EU, but it is not a precondition."
The problem, however, is causing quite a few headaches in the Commission. Greece has already threatened to block the entire enlargement if Cyprus is not among the first wave of the countries to join the EU. Meanwhile, Turkey has threatened to annex Cyprus should enlargement go ahead with just the Greek Cypriot part of the island.
For the moment all eyes are turned towards Ankara. Set to have elections on November 3, the outcome will heavily influence negotiations with Cyprus.