Last update - 00:00 10/03/2008
Greek Cyprus opposes Turkish Cypriot plan to open trade office in T.A.
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
The Republic of Cyprus embassy in Tel Aviv has asked Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann to prevent the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in northern Cyprus from opening a trade office in Israel.
Haaretz reported Monday that the Turkish Cypriots planned to open an economic interests office in Tel Aviv, with the assistance of Dov Weissglas, who served as bureau chief to former prime minister Ariel Sharon.
Cyprus Ambassador to Israel George Zodiates met Monday with senior officials at the Foreign Ministry and expressed his country's opposition to this development.
"How would you respond if Hamas went to another country and asked to open a representative office there?" he asked the Israeli officials. "I am not saying the Turks are terrorists, but this is an illegal entity that is trying to use Israeli laws in order to further its policy."
In a letter to Friedmann last week, sent through the law office of Gideon Fischer, the Cypriot ambassador noted that Nicosia would see the establishment of a Turkish Cypriot trade office here as a blow to its sovereignty.
Speaking to Haaretz Monday, Zodiates said: "The position that the government of Israel is not able to do a thing is unacceptable, because the law can block the opening of such an office."
Israel's stance is that the office will be a private business and will enjoy no official
recognition.
"Even if the office is not granted diplomatic status, it will still encourage tourism in hotels in northern Cyprus that were stolen from their Greek Cypriot owners, or the purchase of real estate that was also stolen by the Turks," Zodiates argued in response.
"Recently, only Syria has agreed to Ankara's request to upgrade relations with northern Cyprus, by instituting an illegal ferry connection, and it would not look good for Israel to join that club," the Cypriot ambassador added.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is internationally recognized only by Turkey.
In his letter to Friedmann, the ambassador wrote that the opening of an office representing Northern Cyprus in Israel "opposes the public interest and may undermine relations between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel."
Copies of the letter were also sent to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
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