Cyprus-Forum.com

[brother]

Direct Trade and Financial Aid Stipulate Protocol Condition

Published: Sunday 06, 2005
zaman.com

According to diplomatic sources, the European Union (EU) is waiting for the signing of the Ankara Protocol before it puts into practice measures to end the isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Having decided to eliminate the isolation imposed on TRNC two days after the Turkish side voted 'yes' in the Cyprus referendum on April 24, the EU has stipulated the signing of Ankara Protocol to put this decision into practice. Sources indicate that there are three regulations concerning Cyprus and there are no problems about the Green Line or financial aid of 259 million Euros. The third regulation, which regulates the direct trade, is still problematic. It is reported that the direct trade regulations will be put into practice if Turkey signs the Ankara Protocol. The direct trade regulations can be approved by a qualified majority, which would render Cypriot Greek protest ineffective, but it is reported that the delay stems from the wish of the term-president Luxembourg to require a unanimous decision rather than a qualified majority. If Turkey signs the protocol, Greek ships will be able to enter Turkish ports and their airplanes will be able to use Turkish airspace. Under these conditions, it is expected that the Greeks will eliminate their objections to direct trade.

[-mikkie2-]

The Cyprus government will not accept the direct trade. If the EU goes ahead with this then Cyprus will recourse to the European Court of Justice and in all probablity win.

It basically isnt that simple, because Cyprus has to consent that the ports in the north are legal. This is contradictory as the 'state' in the north is deemed illegal and non valid.

[brother]

Quote:

The direct trade regulations can be approved by a qualified majority, which would render Cypriot Greek protest ineffective,

So the spoilt child of the E.U will sulk if it does not get what it wants but the club you joined has a clause about majority vote and hence what is there to take to court, rocking the boat will ultimately cause only you problems noone else.

[-mikkie2-]

Brother. This will not happen anytime soon. It will be left to the British presidency to tackle. The EU, in its wisdom, decided to link the 259million of aid with the opening of the ports. That in itself will require unanimity by all 25 member states.

Blame the EU for making a hasty promise without thinking, not Cyprus. If they decide to pass the trade regulation by majority vote then Cyprus will go to the European Court of Justice and it will win. The EU would have to adhere by the ruling of its own court and withdraw the regulation. The EU cannot afford for this to happen, so the EU intersts will prevail, not the Turkish or TC politicians! Why do you think the Green Line regulation has been enhanced?

[brother]

Do you not think that is a bit of an arrogant assumption that you will win.

[-mikkie2-]

Nope. Not at all, because the regulation is based on contravening EU laws! The regulation treats the north as a 3rd country yet Cyprus joined the EU as a whole., including the occupied north. The only difference is that the Aqcuis is suspended in the north.

[brother]

Well i get the feeling you are being over optimistic but everyone to their own opinion but also i believe that when the U.K sits on the E.U presidency things could sway against you and i believe it will all be legal.

[-mikkie2-]

I guess we shall see.

[brother]

British members of the European Parliament say that solutions will be found on the regulations of the EU for the Turkish Cypriots during the British term presidency


Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (08.02.05) reports that the British members of the European Parliament (EP), Andrew Duff and Chris Davies, members of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, who are visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus, met yesterday with the so-called Prime Minister of the occupation regime, Mehmet Ali Talat, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Ali Erel and the leader of the Peace and Democracy Movement, Mustafa Akinci.

In statements during their meeting with Mr Erel, Mr Duff said that they were trying to convince the Greek Cypriots on the issue of the direct trade with the occupied areas of Cyprus and alleged that if the Greek Cypriots are not more flexible on this issue, at the end they will be isolated, Cyprus will be divided and there will be two communities totally separated from each other.

Mr Duff noted that after their contacts in the occupied areas of Cyprus they will go to Brussels with important messages on the issues of the trade, the visas and the freedom of movement.

Noting that in their priorities was to see whether or not the lifting of the obstacles for the financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots and the beginning of direct trade is possible, Mr Duff said that they were open to amendments on the issue of the Green Line Regulation, but he alleged that no amendment on the above-mentioned regulation could substitute the direct trade regulation. He also pointed out that the trade between the occupied and the free areas of Cyprus should be free.

Stating that they visited the island in order to express their support to all the powers that will contribute to the development of peace and democracy, the British member of the EP reminded that all the efforts at the European Council for changes on the trade and financial aid regulations have been unsuccessful and said that he was hopeful on this issue because in July Britain will be taking over the term presidency of the EU.

Mr Duff pointed out that they would work on the issue of what could be done during the British term presidency in order to revive again the Annan Plan and reiterated their support to this plan.

Meanwhile, Mr Davies said that ways must be found so that the obstacles for the direct trade and the financial aid regulations are overcome and pointed out that the promises on this issue must be fulfilled.

Mr Davies argued that during the past few years progress has been made on the Cyprus problem in favour of the Turkish Cypriots and reminded that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have been considered the source of the problem. He argued that as it has been understood the Greek Cypriots are preventing aid to be granted to the Turkish Cypriots.

Furthermore, Mr Erel thanked the British MP's for their serious efforts which have began a long time ago and said that they discussed with them the so-called isolations of the Turkish Cypriots and what could be done for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile, Mr Talat thanked the Commission of the EU because of the amendments on the Green Line Regulation, but he reiterated his view that this regulation could not substitute the direct trade regulations. Mr Talat alleged that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is preventing the direct trade regulation which is of vital importance for the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Talat met with the two British members of the EP in the so-called Prime Minister's office. According to KIBRIS, Mr Duff called Mr Talat "Mr Prime Minister" and reiterated that they visited the occupied part of Cyprus in order to wish the Turkish Cypriot political parties which support the Annan Plan success in the "elections".

KIBRIS writes also that during his meeting with Mr Akinci, Mr Duff promised that they would exert pressure on the Greek Cypriots in the EP and expressed the opinion that the importance of the Cyprus problem increased in Brussels. Mr Duff reiterated that they would be more active on some issues during the British term presidency

Furthermore, Mr Davies argued that the Greek Cypriot leadership disappointed the EU in the referendum and claimed that the Greek Cypriots are not encouraging the EU that some progress will be achieved.

Mr Akinci said that some changes could be made in the Annan Plan so that the Greek Cypriot "no" to be turned into "yes", but he pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot "yes" must also not be changed and their rights must not be harmed.

[boulio]

wasted energy,for the zillionth time there will be no direct trade with the north by eu or another countries(exept turkey)until a lasting solution that suites both sides is reached or the t/c adopt the proposels of the ROC concerning famagusta port.