VS trachten te bemiddelen in Cyprus-obstakel voor toetreding Turkije (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The US is engaged in diplomatic efforts to avert a major crisis in Turkey's EU accession talks over the Cyprus issue, proposing that the UN supervises trade with northern Cyprus in return for Turkey fulfilling its EU customs obligations.

Sources familiar with the issue confirmed reports circulating in the Cypriot press last week that Washington is proposing a trade-off deal which could remove a key obstacle to Turkey's ongoing entry negotiations with the EU.

The idea is part of "various options" under consideration, the contacts told EUobserver.

The plan, also being considered by EU diplomats, would see ports and airports in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus placed under UN inspection.

UN supervision of air and sea traffic would pave the way for the Cypriot government in Nicosia to agree to direct EU trade with the North - something it has so far fiercely rejected as undermining its sovereignty over the whole island.

This in turn could lead Turkey to end its current embargo on vessels and planes from EU member state Cyprus - a key requirement by Brussels which Ankara has so far ignored.

EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn earlier this year predicted a "train crash" in the accession process if Ankara continues its blockade on Cypriot shipping and air traffic, referring to a customs agreement which precludes any trade obstacles with EU member states.

US strategic interests

EU diplomats characterise the Cyprus ports issue as "very difficult," predicting a "major crisis" in Turkey's EU accession process this autumn if the problem remains unresolved with Nicosia determined to veto the opening of new negotiating chapters.

The issue is set to be the dominant theme in the European Commission's annual report on Turkey's accession progress, due out on 26 October.

Washington's diplomatic intervention is in line with its long-term strategic goal to integrate Turkey, a key NATO ally placed in the centre of the Muslim world, into western structures.

The US also intervened around this time last year, when the Cyprus issue threatened to derail the opening of Turkey's accession talks which eventually took place on 3 October.

The trade-off solution proposed by Washington comes as a challenge to the official line of the European Commission, which has always maintained that Turkey's customs obligations cannot be made dependent on trade to northern Cyprus.

But some EU officials privately admit that the two issues are "linked" adding a compromise solution is "possible" with weary Greek and Turkish Cypriot politicians likely to come under heavy international pressure to make concessions.

Recent Brussels seminars on the Cyprus issue suggest however that the parties are likely to stick to hard line positions as long as possible, with participants on all sides showing little sign of compromise.