1) It will be recalled that Turkey declared in the EU Summit in Brussels on 16-17 December 2004 to sign the Additional Protocol to extend the Ankara Agreement to all EU members before 3 October 2005, following required negotiations.

2) The Additional Protocol has been signed today between Turkey and the EU Presidency and Commission through exchange of letters. Together with this signature an official declaration was made by Turkey which legally constitutes an integral part of our signature and letter, and transmitted to the EU. The Permanent Representative of Turkey to the EU signed the Protocol and the declaration on behalf of the Turkish side.

3) In our declaration, it is reiterated that:

-         The Republic of Cyprus referred to in the Protocol is not the original partnership State established in 1960.

-         Turkey will continue to regard the Greek Cypriot authorities as exercising authority, control and jurisdiction only in the territory south of the buffer zone, and do not represent the Turkish Cypriot people and will treat the acts performed by them accordingly.

-         The signature, ratification and implementation of this Protocol neither amount to any form of recognition of the Republic of Cyprus referred to in the Protocol; nor prejudice Turkey’s rights and obligations emanating from the Treaty of Guarantee, the Treaty of Alliance, and the Treaty of Establishment of 1960.

-         Turkey’s existing relationship with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will remain unchanged.

4) Turkey’s commitment to finding a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue and its support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to reach a comprehensive settlement that aims to the establishment of a new bi-zonal partnership State is also put on record in our declaration.

5) Turkey is convinced that a just and lasting settlement will bring peace and stability to our region and expects the other related parties to take concrete steps to this end.

6) Within this framework, it is declared that Turkey’s policy on Cyprus has not changed and that Turkey is ready to establish relations with the new partnership State which would emerge following a comprehensive settlement to be reached in Cyprus.

7) Our Prime Minister has already put into record in his address to the European Council held on 17 December 2004 that the signing of the Additional Protocol would not amount to any form of recognition of the “Republic of Cyprus”.

8) The declaration made today together with the signature puts this fact once again into records.

9) The exchange of letters has been completed in accordance with international law and our declaration constitutes an integral part of our letter.

10) The Protocol signed through this exchange of letters, together with the related documents, will be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly for ratification.

11) Turkey has thus fulfilled all its responsibilities for launching the accession negotiations with the EU.

DECLARATION BY TURKEY ON CYPRUS

1. Turkey remains committed to finding a political settlement of the Cyprus issue and has clearly demonstrated its resolve in this regard. Accordingly, Turkey will continue to support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General towards achieving a comprehensive settlement which will lead to the establishment of a new bi-zonal partnership State. A just and lasting settlement would greatly contribute to peace, stability and harmonious relations in the region.

2. The Republic of Cyprus referred to in the Protocol is not the original partnership State established in 1960.

3. Turkey will thus continue to regard the Greek Cypriot authorities as exercising authority, control and jurisdiction only in the territory south of the buffer zone, as is currently the case, and as not representing the Turkish Cypriot people and will treat the acts performed by them accordingly.

4. Turkey declares that signature, ratification and implementation of this Protocol neither amount to any form of recognition of the Republic of Cyprus referred to in the Protocol; nor prejudice Turkey’s rights and obligations emanating from the Treaty of Guarantee, the Treaty of Alliance, and the Treaty of Establishment of 1960.

5. Turkey reaffirms that its existing relationship with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus remains unchanged by becoming a party to the Protocol.

6. Pending a comprehensive settlement, the position of Turkey on Cyprus will remain unchanged. Turkey expresses its readiness to establish relations with the new partnership State which will emerge following a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.