Rehn says Cyprus settlement should respect EU founding principles

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said a Cyprus settlement should imply a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and should respect EU founding principles.

The Finnish Commissioner referred to the Cyprus problem on Thursday in a speech titled ''The EU and the Western Balkans: The Critical Year of 2009'', at a conference on the EU and the Western Balkans, which was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

''There is finally serious movement towards the reunification of Cyprus. The EU supports the efforts of the leaders of both communities to achieve a comprehensive settlement under the auspices of the UN. The Commission is ready to contribute to a UN settlement process with its expertise in matters of EU relevance,'' Rehn said.

He noted that ''the EU can accept any solution agreed by the two communities, as long as a united Cyprus respects the Union's founding principles of liberty, democracy and the rule of law, and is able to carry the obligations of EU membership.''

''This implies a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions,'' he concluded.