Rebecca Bryant in Turkey, Cyprus and the European Division (Rebecca Bryant is assistant professor of anthropology at George Mason University and author of Imagining the Modern: The Cultures of Nationalism in Cyprus [London: I. B. Tauris, 2004].)
More than three years after the opening of the ceasefire line that divides Cyprus, the island is closer than ever to rupture. When the Green Line first opened in April 2003, there was an initial period of euphoria, as Cypriots flooded in both directions to visit homes and neighbors left unwillingly behind almost three decades before. But a year later, when a UN plan to reunite the island came to referendum, new divisions emerged. While Turkish Cypriots voted in favor of the plan, their Greek Cypriot compatriots rejected it in overwhelming numbers. Visits stalled, and today social relations are mired in an increasingly divisive politics. Recent polls show a majority of Greek Cypriots in favor of partition, while Turkish Cypriots are anxious about a spate of lawsuits over property that they occupied when the island was divided. They perceive these suits as a direct threat to their existence in the absence of an acceptable plan for reunification.........
Turkish-European MPs warn Gül about increased nationalism in Turkey
Turkey, which last Saturday brought together in Ankara about 23 European lawmakers of Turkish descent for the first time, heard from them that the biggest problems that they have been facing in Europe in explaining Turkey have been the increased nationalism in the country, as well as Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes any insult to state institutions or to 'Turkishness."
Turkish Journalists In Brussels For Understanding E.U.
BRUSSELS - European Journalism Center organized a seminar titled "Understanding European Union" for Turkish journalists with the support of European Commission.
The seminar which began today with the participation of 15 journalists from Ankara and Istanbul, will last until February 21st.
On the first day of the seminar Jean Christopher Filori from European Commission will deliver speech on "significant issues in Turkey - EU relations and the future steps that will be taken in Turkey's EU membership bid."
Andrew Rashbah, head of the European Commission Turkish Cypriot desk, will address the journalists on the issue of "EU aid to Northern Cyprus."
Bahadir Kaleagasi, EU representative of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Kristina Nagy, spokesperson of the EU Commissioner on Enlargement, and Volkan Bozkir, Turkey's Permanent Representative to EU, will attend the seminar as speakers tomorrow.
* Germany to propose common EU history book
Posted by erkan at February 26, 2007 01:48 PM | TrackBack