Turkey Blocks NATO-EU Efforts in Kosovo
Turkey blocked the European Union from using NATO’s assets to sustain its mission in Kosovo. Turkish leaders are concerned about whether Cyprus would be allowed to participate in the mission since Turkey is a member of NATO but not the European Union. NATO already has troops assigned in Kosovo to assist the UN mission; in three months’ time, a 2,000 person EU mission will be deployed to replace the UN.
When Turkish leaders vetoed the European Union’s use of NATO facilities in Kosovo, they referred to the 2003 Treaty of Nice, which prevents Cyprus and Malta from participating in joint efforts. However, EU official says that the treaty only includes military missions, but not peacekeeping ones.
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