The European Democratic Party (EDP) has issued a Declaration on Cyprus in which it states that the solution of the Cyprus problem should be compatible with the European acquis communautaire and based on European values and principles and human rights and UN resolutions.
The Declaration, issued in Bilbao during the EDP Council, urges Turkey to end its occupation of Cyprus’s northern areas and recognise the Republic of Cyprus.
EDP believes that the current negotiations taking place in Nicosia for the solution to the Cyprus problem should be seen in the context of the following principles:
“The solution should be compatible with the European acquis and based on the European values and principles as well as the human rights and UN resolutions. The solution should be just, democratic, workable and viable and no intervention rights should be vested in any foreign country”.
Furthermore, it notes that “the existing mechanism of guarantees in Cyprus, which emanates from the 1960 agreement, is anachronistic and should be abolished, as Cyprus is part of the EU which has the proper institutions to provide adequate guarantees for a country-member of the EU”.
The EDP expresses the view that the EU should be more closely involved in the Cyprus peace process.
“EDP is strongly in favour of EU’s closer involvement in the procedures towards the solution to the problem. This will, inter-alia, ensure that the European principles of abolishing artificial divisions are respected, so that both Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots live together in a united island without any ethnic or other segregation. EDP promises to support and promote a European solution in all the European institutions and, in particular, in the European Parliament”, it is added.
The Declaration on Cyprus refers to the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the Apostolides vs Orams case, which backed the efforts of Greek Cypriot refugee Meletis Apostolides, to reclaim his land from the British couple, the Orams, who illegally bought his land in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.
According to EDP, the ruling “shows the importance of the respect of property, a fundamental human right an European value”.
Regarding Turkey’s accession negotiations, the EDP believes that “the Turkish occupation in Cyprus should cease and that the Republic of Cyprus, being a member of the EU, should be recognised by Turkey. Turkey should take all necessary actions to implement this in practice”.
The EDP refers also to Cyprus’ accession to the Eurozone, noting that “following its smooth accession to the Eurozone, Cyprus has an important role to play in contributing towards the strengthening of the European institutions and the protection of its citizens, especially with respect to the current international economic crisis”.
The EDP “sends its warmest greetings to the Cyprus people, both Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots, and confirms its continuous willingness to work for a peaceful and democratic future for all the legal inhabitants of Cyprus”.
It also wishes its Cypriot party member European Party – EUROKO- every success in the 2009 European Parliament elections.
Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solve the question of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
Turkey is the only country in the world which does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, despite the fact that in the EU – Turkey Negotiating Framework of 2005, the EU urges Turkey to normalise its relations with the Republic.
