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[zan]

The shame of the EU: exclusion of Turkish Cyprus (KKTC) universities from the Bologna Process Print

Monday , 21 May 2007





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The exclusion of universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC - TRNC) from the Bologna Process, in other words a further embargo on the Turkish Cypriots -- this time on education -- is another thing of which the European Union should be ashamed.

Turkish Cypriots are already suffering under unjust political, economic, cultural, social, sporting and trade embargoes.

That the six excellent universities in northern Cyprus are unable to join the Bologna Process, which seeks to strengthen the ties between universities in the European family, is a wholly reprehensible decision.

This shameful result of the Bologna Ministerial Conference, held in London, actually originated from EU mishandling of the accession of Cyprus.

With respect to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus mentioned in the 1960 treaty, the Greek Cypriot administration’s accession to the EU on May 1, 2004 contravenes the non-alignment element stated in the 1960 treaty concerning the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.

The obstructive attitude and political pressure applied by the Greek Cypriot administration can be seen everywhere. All the political, economic, cultural, social, sporting and trade operations of the Turkish Cypriots are blocked by the Greeks.

It seems that the KKTC is a stepchild of the EU. According to Protocol 10 the KKTC lies within the territorial limits of the Council of Europe and the EU. The Turkish Cypriots are EU citizens, but their human rights are not included.

It is certainly very wrong and inhumane that academic institutions and the 45,000 students in the KKTC do not have access to the benefits of the Bologna Process.

Practical implications, clever and political barricades against the Turkish Cypriots’ being within the EU arise from the persistent and malicious campaigns by Greek Cypriots, who continue to pursue their terrorism of the 1960s and 1970s into the fields of commerce, communication, sport, travel and now education.

The Greek Cypriot administration education minister, deputies and commission members unfortunately did whatever they could to exclude the KKTC universities from the Bologna Process. European education ministers acted in a manner that proved their awareness of the fact that a bright future for Cyprus could only be achieved through education. They missed it, as did the EU.

Is it seemly that the EU, alleged champion of human rights and rule of law, turned a blind eye to all of this?

This “education issue” presented a golden opportunity to break the inhumane isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, namely the Bologna Process. Now this opportunity is gone with the wind.

It is not the Turkish Cypriots who will lose in the long run. The EU and Greek Cypriots will be the ultimate losers. They will inevitably lose the Turkish Cypriots, the northern territories of Cyprus and the Turks of the motherland Turkey.

It seems that the current situation on the island will continue forever and that its division will become more solid and permanent. There will be only a small change: The Turkish Cypriots will lose their belief in Western countries and turn their back on the EU and the Greek Cypriots forever.
http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=45145

[bigOz]

It seems that the current situation on the island will continue forever and that its division will become more solid and permanent. There will be only a small change: The Turkish Cypriots will lose their belief in Western countries and turn their back on the EU and the Greek Cypriots forever.

That is exactly what I have been saying all this time! Why it is so difficult for people to understand that "punishing" TCs for whatever political belief or reason they have will only alianate them and make the Cyprus solution more and more impossible?

I have seen many die-hard socialists begin to change their tune for united one Cyprus, eversince the Annan plan was refused by the GCs. And the conversion is increasing daily, with the news of more campigns by the RoC government preventing any economic development by the TCs.

[DT.]

It seems that the current situation on the island will continue forever and that its division will become more solid and permanent. There will be only a small change: The Turkish Cypriots will lose their belief in Western countries and turn their back on the EU and the Greek Cypriots forever.

That is exactly what I have been saying all this time! Why it is so difficult for people to understand that "punishing" TCs for whatever political belief or reason they have will only alianate them and make the Cyprus solution more and more impossible?

I have seen many die-hard socialists begin to change their tune for united one Cyprus, eversince the Annan plan was refused by the GCs. And the conversion is increasing daily, with the news of more campigns by the RoC government preventing any economic development by the TCs.

whats the matter...angry that we haven't apologised yet to every single one of the 40,000troops you have over there?

[miltiades]

Zan quoted from a Turkish saurce :
"""""Practical implications, clever and political barricades against the Turkish Cypriots’ being within the EU arise from the persistent and malicious campaigns by Greek Cypriots, who continue to pursue their terrorism of the 1960s and 1970s into the fields of commerce, communication, sport, travel and now education. """"

G/Cs continue to pursue terrorist activities ?? Tell that to the 200 thousand Cypriots who have been deprived of their ancestral home , tell them they are criminals and terrorists for refusing to assist in every possible way the "TRNC" gain recognition and legality , tell them they are utterly irresponsible in continuing to deny the occupiers freedom of trade as a separate country.
Your young friend who beleives in live and let live , respect and you will be respected IS a typical example of the irresponsible approach to the Cyprob .

[zan]

The same old excuses used to justify the persecution of a people that just wanted to live peacefully on their homeland. First of all we stood in the way of ENOSIS and now unification. Do you people have any shame in you at all. ENOSIS, we get it in the neck. Helping the British, we get it in the neck. Partition, we get it in the neck. What excuse are you going to use next to justify our persecution.

[Get Real!]

It is not the Turkish Cypriots who will lose in the long run. The EU and Greek Cypriots will be the ultimate losers. They will inevitably lose the Turkish Cypriots, the northern territories of Cyprus and the Turks of the motherland Turkey.

So what is he complaining about then? Everything is going according to plan for the TC's! No?

[zan]

It is not the Turkish Cypriots who will lose in the long run. The EU and Greek Cypriots will be the ultimate losers. They will inevitably lose the Turkish Cypriots, the northern territories of Cyprus and the Turks of the motherland Turkey.

So what is he complaining about then? Everything is going according to plan for the TC's! No?

You had me fooled all along GR, I did not know that you were a partitionist also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hos geldin, safa geldin.

[Get Real!]

It is not the Turkish Cypriots who will lose in the long run. The EU and Greek Cypriots will be the ultimate losers. They will inevitably lose the Turkish Cypriots, the northern territories of Cyprus and the Turks of the motherland Turkey.

So what is he complaining about then? Everything is going according to plan for the TC's! No?

You had me fooled all along GR, I did not know that you were a partitionist also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hos geldin, safa geldin.

Have I expressed an opinion here with this post?

Talk about putting words in one's mouth!

[zan]

It is not the Turkish Cypriots who will lose in the long run. The EU and Greek Cypriots will be the ultimate losers. They will inevitably lose the Turkish Cypriots, the northern territories of Cyprus and the Turks of the motherland Turkey.

So what is he complaining about then? Everything is going according to plan for the TC's! No?

You had me fooled all along GR, I did not know that you were a partitionist also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hos geldin, safa geldin.

Have I expressed an opinion here with this post?

Talk about putting words in one's mouth!

Is there another GR here then?????

[Get Real!]

It is not the Turkish Cypriots who will lose in the long run. The EU and Greek Cypriots will be the ultimate losers. They will inevitably lose the Turkish Cypriots, the northern territories of Cyprus and the Turks of the motherland Turkey.

So what is he complaining about then? Everything is going according to plan for the TC's! No?

You had me fooled all along GR, I did not know that you were a partitionist also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hos geldin, safa geldin.

Have I expressed an opinion here with this post?

Talk about putting words in one's mouth!

Is there another GR here then?????

Am I to believe dear Zan that after posting umpteen messages you still can't tell the difference between posting an opinion and asking a simple question??? <--- know what these weird symbols mean? <--This too?

Have you had your dinner yet?