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Roundup: Cyprus awaits EU confirmation on Turkey visa decision

Xinhua, May 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cyprus is waiting for an official European Commission report on Turkey's lifting of visa restrictions for all EU citizens, including Greek Cypriots, said a government spokesman on Tuesday.

Visa-free travel for EU nations to Turkey would include Cyprus, an island country long at odds with its northern neighbor.

The mutual lifting of visa requirements by Turkey and the EU is crucial for a deal on stemming the flow of refugees and migrants from Turkey into Greece.

Cyprus has given notice that it would veto the visa deal if Greek Cypriots were not included in the arrangements announced by Turkey.

Greek Cypriots travelling to Turkey are issued a visa which is printed on a separate paper. Turkey had withdrawn recognition of the internationally recognized government of Cyprus after it occupied the island's north in 1974.

The Turkish government announced in its official gazette a decision made on Monday night to abolish visa requirements for EU citizens to travel to Turkey.

A Turkish official said the waiver will apply to Greek Cypriots as well, although this will not amount to a recognition of Cyprus by Turkey. Cyprus has been an EU member state since 2004.

Turkey' s refusal to recognize Cyprus and make its port and air facilities available to Cypriot shipping and aircraft has bedeviled Turkey' s bid to join the European Union.

Cyprus blocked five of its 33 negotiating chapters and has given notice that it will veto any moves forward unless Turkey complies with requirements under the so-called Ankara protocol for extending recognition to Cyprus.

The Cypriot government spokesman said Cyprus will give its approval to the visa deal only after Turkey had fulfilled the agreement in full.

"It provides for the waiving of visa requirements for EU citizens including holders of Cypriot passports, the application of the agreement for the return of all refugees and migrants coming from Turkey without any discrimination and Turkey' s effective cooperation on issues of justice, freedom and security with all EU member states," the spokesman said.

He added that a decision is not expected after Wednesday' s report by the Commission as the deal requires endorsement by all members states at a European summit and approval by the European Parliament.

The European Union pins its hopes on overcoming friction between Cyprus and Turkey on reaching an agreement reunifying Cyprus in negotiations currently under way between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities of the island. Endi