A record-breaking judgement against Turkey for its 1974 invasion of Cyprus is likely to further damage its frayed relationship with Europe. Turkish officials said today (May 13, 2014) that it will not pay the 90 million euros ($124 million) in damages ordered yesterday by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) -- the largest such ruling in the court's history -- according to the Christian Science Monitor website.
European Union (EU) support for Turkey's membership bid has already been diminished by accusations of growing authoritarianism and waning press freedom, as well as anti-European rhetoric by Turkish leaders to score points domestically. Turkey's refusal to pay the court damages to Cyprus will only hurt its chances of EU membership.
The ECHR ruling also risks stalling reunification talks over the island of Cyprus, which remains divided between the Greek south and Turkish north 40 years after the Turkish invasion. The money would go to the families of those who died or went missing in the invasion and to Greek Cypriots who remained in an enclave in the Turkish-controlled north.
Turkey's refusal may be the first such instance since it accepted the ECHR's jurisdiction when it was founded in 1959. Non-payment is likely to result in sustained diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions from the Council of Europe -- a 47-nation body that recognizes the court's jurisdiction.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment