EU snubs Turkey over Cyprus occupation

Swedish Christian Democrat MP, former MEP, Lennart Sacredeus, believes that the European Union cannot accept as a member state a country which illegally occupies part of another sovereign country, an EU member state.

Sacredeis expressed this position during a meeting he had with House President Marios Garoyian, reiterating his intention to continue briefing the Swedish Parliament and the Swedish people with regard to the Cyprus problem and the ongoing breach of human rights on the island.

Turkey, a candidate country for EU membership, continues to occupy Cyprus’ northern part since its troops invaded in 1974.

An official press release issued here today said that Garoyian briefed the Swedish MP on current developments in the Cyprus question and reaffirmed the will of the Greek Cypriot side to achieve an agreed bizonal, bicommunal federation, on the basis of international law, relevant EU resolutions, the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 and EU principles and values.

Garoyian expressed his concern for the fact that Turkey, so far, has not shown the necessary will for a settlement in Cyprus, noting that “the key of the solution lies in Ankara, on which unfortunately the Turkish Cypriot community depends.”

Sacredeus expressed the belief that the EU cannot accept as one of its members a country which illegally occupies part of another sovereign country, member of the EU and wished that the current process of negotiations bears fruit soon and leads to the settlement of the problem, on the basis of international law and respect of human rights.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat are engaged in direct talks with a view to finding a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.