Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

EU’S COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS IS THE LATEST TO GIVE ITS SUPPORT TO THE CYPRUS PEACE PROCESS

The European Union’s Committee of the Regions or COR has taken the initiative to rename its 5th floor atrium ‘Open Ledra Street”.

The re-opening last April of the famous Ledra street crossing point in the heart of Nicosia (Lefkosa,Lefkosia ) in Cyprus, 44 years after it had been closed, created new hope and momentum for the peace process on the island.

Turkish Cypriot representative Munur Doratli, Greek Cypriot representative Eleni Mavrou, European Parliament’s President Hans-Gert Pottering, COR President Van Den Brande and Commissioner Danuta Huber were present at the inauguration ceremony in Brussels.

Speaking during the ceremony Van Den Brande said ‘in naming one of our central reception areas Open Ledra Street, we underline that local and regional authorities play a crucial role in breaking down barriers, facilitating dialogue between local communities and establishing peace and stability’.

It’s hoped that Open the Ledra Street in Brussels will remind thousands of European regional and local politicians what they can achieve when supported by their communities.

For his part Hans-Gert Pottering stressed that ‘it is the responsibility of the EU to help Cyprus, Europe’s last divided country to reunify and restore the fundamental freedoms of its people’.

The COR with its 344 members from local authorities is a consultative body for the Council of Ministers which the EU Commission and council of ministers are obliged to consult on various policy areas, ranging from environment to transport.

[bill cobbett]

EU’S COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS IS THE LATEST TO GIVE ITS SUPPORT TO THE CYPRUS PEACE PROCESS

The European Union’s Committee of the Regions or COR has taken the initiative to rename its 5th floor atrium ‘Open Ledra Street”.

The re-opening last April of the famous Ledra street crossing point in the heart of Nicosia (Lefkosa,Lefkosia ) in Cyprus, 44 years after it had been closed, created new hope and momentum for the peace process on the island.

Turkish Cypriot representative Munur Doratli, Greek Cypriot representative Eleni Mavrou, European Parliament’s President Hans-Gert Pottering, COR President Van Den Brande and Commissioner Danuta Huber were present at the inauguration ceremony in Brussels.

Speaking during the ceremony Van Den Brande said ‘in naming one of our central reception areas Open Ledra Street, we underline that local and regional authorities play a crucial role in breaking down barriers, facilitating dialogue between local communities and establishing peace and stability’.

It’s hoped that Open the Ledra Street in Brussels will remind thousands of European regional and local politicians what they can achieve when supported by their communities.

For his part Hans-Gert Pottering stressed that ‘it is the responsibility of the EU to help Cyprus, Europe’s last divided country to reunify and restore the fundamental freedoms of its people’.

The COR with its 344 members from local authorities is a consultative body for the Council of Ministers which the EU Commission and council of ministers are obliged to consult on various policy areas, ranging from environment to transport.

Hmm - wonder what fundamental freedoms this refers to? Freedom of movement, freedom to enjoy one's property and presumably freedom from the Turkish Occupation ? These would be nice fundamental freedoms.