President Demetris Christofias sent on Wednesday a letter to the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, calling on the Commission to change its position and withdraw a regulation on direct trade between the EU and Cyprus' northern Turkish occupied areas, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has announced.
In statements to the press here Thursday, Stephanou said that in view of the opinion of the European Parliament Legal Service, which reached similar conclusions to those of the Council Legal Service, and the decision of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament, President Christofias has called on the European Commission to revise its position on the regulation and to withdraw the proposed regulation.
The call came in the wake of a decision by the European Parliament Legal Affairs Committee which questioned the legal basis on which the Commission had proposed direct trade between the EU and Cyprus’ occupied areas. The decision vindicated the position of the Cyprus government that the northern occupied areas of the country – EU territory since the Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in May 2004 – cannot be regarded as a third country with which EU members can trade. Turkey, which aspires to join the EU, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and refuses to meet its EU commitments relating to Cyprus.
In the letter to Barroso, Christofias notes that the proposed regulation puts at risk the prospects of reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus soon. He also points out that the withdrawal of the proposal will allow the island’s two communities to continue their efforts, through the direct negotiations, to reach a solution.
Stephanou said the letter to Barroso is the continuation of a previous letter the President had sent to the EU official with regard to the regulation on direct trade. In that letter, President Christofias had underlined that the Republic of Cyprus will defend its legal interests with all available, political and legal means.
Called to comment on statements by Turkey’s Prime Minister on the decision of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament, Stephanou stressed that Turkey should fulfill its obligations to the EU, as the EU has called on Turkey to do it several times.
Tayip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey will not fulfill the Ankara Protocol if the ports in Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas do not open for direct trade with the EU.
It is beyond reason for Turkey to introduce new conditions in order to meet its own obligations, Stephanou pointed out, adding that Ankara should implement those obligations, one of which is to open its ports and airports to the Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the EU.
Replying to another question whether the government expects Turkey to make a good will gesture by December, such as opening one of its ports, Stephanou said that in the past such information had proven to be false.
“If Turkey wishes to make a good will gesture, which in fact will not be a gesture but the implementation of its obligation towards the EU, it could fulfill its obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus. Something that Turkey has not done so far”, he added.
It is not enough Turkey to state that it wishes a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of the year. It should prove its good will, and unfortunately, Turkey’s actions do not justify its statements, Stephanou stressed.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third territory. Cyprus UN – led talks are underway between the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
