Direct trade between the EU and Cyprus Turkish occupied areas is wrong

The European Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs approved on Monday with 18 votes in favour, five against and one abstention the opinion of the Council Legal Service, that the legal basis of the regulation on direct trade between the EU and Cyprus Turkish occupied areas is wrong and that the proper legal basis is Article 1(2) of Protocol No 10 on Cyprus to the Treaty of Accession of April 2003 .

The Committee rejected by majority the postponement of the relevant discussion and endorsed the opinion of the Council Legal Service.

The decision of the Committee will be evaluated during the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, in view of the political decisions to be taken on the regulation.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the island.

The Republic of Cyprus joined the EU on May 1, 2004.