VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #1516/01 3141740
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 101740Z NOV 09
FM USEU BRUSSELS
TO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO RUCNMEU/EU INTEREST COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC

C O N F I D E N T I A L USEU BRUSSELS 001516 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2019 
TAGS: EPET PREL TU EUN XS
SUBJECT: ENERGY CHAPTER IS BOTTOM LINE FOR TURKEY 
 
Classified By: EEST Chief Louis L. Bono for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
 ¶1. (C) Summary: Turkey's Deputy Permanent Representative to 
the EU stressed in a November 5 meeting that the opening of 
the Energy Chapter is a crucial step in Turkey-EU relations, 
and could pave the way for an agreement on the Southern 
Corridor.  However, the inability of the EU to advance the 
accession process, due to unrelenting opposition by Cyprus, 
France and Germany, makes it difficult for the GoT to 
cooperate with the EU, even where Turkey has interests at 
stake.  He also noted that Turkey is running out of patience 
on the ports issue.  End summary. 
 
Turkey Signs IGA ) The Ball is in the EU's Court 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶2. (C) The Deputy Representative all but said the opening of 
the energy chapter is a quid pro quo for the Southern 
Corridor.  He bemoaned the inertia of accession negotiations, 
noting 18 of the 33 chapters are blocked, as well as 
anti-Turkey rhetoric from France and Germany.  He said public 
opinion of the EU is so low at this point, that government 
must avoid the perception of granting favors to the EU.  He 
referred to the Nabucco Intergovernmental Agreement as a 
positive gesture by Turkey and said "the ball is now in the 
EU's court."  He stressed that "the energy chapter is a 
priority and it would send a very positive political message 
that we are converging with the EU."  "Little things can go a 
long way" he added noting how public opinion of the U.S. 
shifted dramatically after President Bush labeled the PKK a 
common enemy in January 2008.  "When the time comes, we will 
make the deal, but the Europeans have to get their act 
together first." 
 
France and Germany Hiding Behind Cyprus 
--------------------------------------- 
¶3. (C) He was particularly critical of Cyprus, but he also 
laid blame on France and Germany.  He said that Cyprus has 
been a "nuisance" on recent attempts to open the Environment 
Chapter.  Cyprus continues to use access to ports as a 
pretext to block accession.  However, granting Cyprus access 
to Turkey's ports would provide an unfair trade advantage 
over Turkish Cypriots who do not have access to EU ports.  He 
suggested that Turkey would be prepared to enter into a 
"temporary deal" to grant Cyprus access to Turkey's ports if 
the EU would reciprocate for Turkish Cypriots.  He stressed 
that merely granting access to EU sea and airports would not 
constitute political recognition and pointed out that U.S. 
planes fly to Taiwan.  He warned that if this issue is not 
resolved by December, there could be "consequences."  He also 
criticized Cyprus for issuing offshore exploration permits 
when the borders are not clearly delineated.  He said this 
has become a major political headache for the GoT. 
 
¶4. (C) He said that France and Germany have the leverage to 
influence Cyprus, but use Cyprus as a front for their own 
agendas to impede accession.  Negative comments by Sarkozy 
and Merkel about Turkey's membership have caused 
"incalculable damage" throughout Turkey, as they are 
perceived as EU policy rather than that of two member states. 
 He said Turkey essentially vetoed Gaz de France,s (GDF) 
participation in the Nabucco consortium due to France's 
"hostile policy."  At this point, the GoT would not consider 
engagement with GDF as a means to improving political/social 
relations with France: "this is an existential issue." 
 
Dealing With Difficult Neighbors 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) He described relations with Azerbaijan as very 
complicated and said few, he included, really understand what 
is happening.  He said that the Azeris are "very angry" about 
the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia and 
that the GoT must "cool them down."  He speculated that the 
Azeris may be using Nabucco and ITGI for leverage, fully 
aware of the importance of the Energy Chapter to Turkey. 
Turkey cannot advance the process alone.  He called on the 
U.S. and Russia to lean on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve 
the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute as a means towards advancing the 
Southern Corridor.  (Comment:  This could be considered 
antithetical to Russia's interests, given its opposition to 
the Southern Corridor.  End comment.)  He also called on the 
EU to mediate between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in order to 
open a Trans-Caspian route. 
¶6. (C) The Deputy Representative, who studied at George 
Washington University, appreciates the strategic importance 
of the Southern Corridor, particularly for Turkey, but said 
Turkey must "look out for number one."  He said Turkey 
resides in a rough neighborhood: "we have to deal with Russia 
and Iran everyday, and they are not easy to live with."  He 
downplayed the recent agreement between Erdogan and Putin 
stating "we just gave them permission to build 
(Southstream)8 but added &there was no way for us to deny 
them these rights." 
 
Murray