The Financial Times today ran a special insert on Cyprus. Though most of the insert dealt with the Greek run side of the island, it touched on the Turkish side too, noting that there was a political deadlock in Cyprus between the two sides.
The article in the Times also noted that EU membership for Greek Cyprus had meant an enlivening of the real estate market on the island, and that though real estate prices were 40% lower on the Turkish side of the island, there too real estate had jumped into action. A quote from Turkish Cypriot authorities in the piece noted that last year, 5 thousand summer homes had been built in Northern Cyprus.
European press: Villepin cannot stop EU talks for Turkey
There was a wide spread response in the European press to French PM Dominique de Villepin's recent assertion on Europe Radio that Turkey must recognize Greek run Cyprus as a prerequisite to the start of accession talks. British newspaper The Times said that this was yet another sign of the rift between England and France.
The Times article noted, "...Villepin has put a block in front of Turkey's EU aspirations, and has derailed one of Tony Blair's goals for his 6 month tenureship as EU president."
British newspaper The Independent for its part ran an article noting that Villepin's statements had once again raised the tension in the EU on the Turkish question.
The Guardian : Turkish EU membership divides the EU
British newspaper The Guardian touched on the threat to the October 3 accession talks from France, saying "Turkish membership is one of the most divisive subjects in the EU. French, German, and Austrian leaders speak about how they are thinking the same things about EU membership for the large, poor, largely Muslim but secular Turkey."
