Turkey opens embassy in Malta as it pursues EU accession

Joe Fenech

Nov 1st 2009, 21:10

A big NO to Turkey's adhesion to the EU until they free Cyprus.

chris scerri

Oct 31st 2009, 08:18

Cyprus dispute not a problem why not ? they have occupied the island from 1974 and houses of cypriots where taken by turks ,churches where made casinos and bars,and cypriots that are still living on the turkish side cannot leave home for longer than 3 days because on their return they will find a turkish family had taken over their home and the goverment cant make nothing about it.
Turkey should never join EU unless it gives back ALL the island and i mean All not less the Kerynia port to the cypriots and recognise the Cypriot goverment.

A. Muscat

Oct 30th 2009, 18:42

@ Alfred Farrugia Turkey’s – Cyprus dispute shouldn’t be a problem for Turkey. What about Ireland and UK? Both countries had a long history of blood shred and wars yet they were full fledged EU members. @Aslater You keyed in: ‘ Have the Maltese people been asked their opinion?’ Why worry about people’s opinion? The BIG BROTHERS are there to decide for you and you must follow what they decide. Did the Maltese Government asked the peoples’ opinion prior Lisbon treaty signing? Was the Irish first NO for Lisbon Treaty respected by the Irish government? If you think you are living in a democracy you dwelling in illusion.

A. Muscat

Oct 30th 2009, 17:25

Turkey in terms of both money and power. On 16 October 2009 It was reported in the Times of Malta that a total 41.3 percent of net inflows of FDI for the first six months of this year originated from EU member states and a further 41.8 percent came from Asia. During the same period in 2008, the EU27 contributed 44 percent of FDI inflows while 30.3 per cent originated from Turkey. With 30.3 per cent of Malta’s FDI originated from Turkey this is not a joke. Taking into consideration the consequences of the financial earthquake that have put the entire world at the edge of bankruptcy (Billions of $$$$ were spent on useless wars) thanks to the cataclysmic politics of former USA administration. As far as Europe’s security and power in the international stage, Turkey has the second largest army within NATO-Paradoxically Turkey has more credentials inside NATO than it harsh opponents: France and Germany!

Alfred Farrugia

Oct 30th 2009, 16:04

Can His Excellency the Turkish Ambassador kindly explain how Turkey considers itself a “peace promoting democracy” and a “force for peace and stability in the volatile region in which it is located” while its troops are occupying a third of the island of Cyprus? Is Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus – an EU member – not a cause of war and conflict instead of one of peace? Turkey is rendering a disservice to its own credentials by continuing to occupy a small vulnerable island in the Mediterranean.

If my geography is correct, only part of the beautiful city of Istanbul on one side of the Bosphorus is in Europe. The other part of Istanbul is in Asia, as is the major part of Turkey, including Anatolia.

The last Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed VI, came to Malta in exile before he moved on. He left Istanbul on 17 November 1922, on board the British warship Malaya.

If and when Turkey complies with the appropriate UN resolutions and OSCE principles, among others, its behaviour and status will be perceived in a different and positive light.

Raymond Sammut

Oct 30th 2009, 13:34

@ Aslater

Turkey and Malta have enjoyed excellent relations for a very long time. They also share a long history, and Turkish delight is my favourite, and was my favourite since I was a small boy. So yes. President Abela and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg are right in their support for Turkey. If there are Maltese anywhere in the world who wish to object, we are all free to write letters to the Foreign Minister. That's one way how "opinion" can be expressed. I doubt, however, as to how many of these objections Dr Borg has been receiving.

Paul Bonnici

Oct 30th 2009, 12:56

Turkey must never be allowed to join the EU. That will be the biggest mistake of the century.

Aslater

Oct 30th 2009, 12:39

This is just so wrong.
''President Abela and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg had expressed to him Malta's support for Turkey joining the EU'' - On what grounds? Have the Maltese people been asked their opinion?

Turkey lies geographically in Asia, far western Turkey lies in Europe and Turkey's capital city of Ankara is fully outside of Europe and on the Asian continent. Turkey's culture and values are different from those of the European Union as a whole and Turkey's 99.8% Muslim population is too different from Christian-based Europe.

Also, Turkey does not even recognise Cyprus, which is a fully-fledged member of the European Union.