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RASBASH SAYS THE EU WILL PROVIDE FULL SUPPORT WHEN THE LEADERS BECOME READY TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT

A reception has been given at the EU Programme Support Office to mark the third anniversary of the entry into force of the Financial Aid Regulation.
The reception was organized by the European Commission together with Turkish Cypriot Counterparts and Beneficiaries.

It was attended by Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the Head of the EU Commission’s Task Force for the Turkish Cypriot Community Andrew Rasbash, the Head of EU Programme Support Office Alain Bothorel, mayors, ambassadors and representatives of various embassies.

In an address at the reception, Mr Rasbash provided information about the works realised within the framework of the program at this half way stage.

Referring to the ongoing negotiations between the two sides, he said `we will provide full support when the leaders compromise and become ready to sign an agreement`.

Mr Soyer, for his part, stated that the main objective of the Turkish Cypriot People is to settle the Cyprus problem on the basis of UN parameters and to allow the whole island to take its place within EU parameters.

`Although costing time for the Turkish Cypriot People, they will continue their efforts towards reaching this objective`, the Premier said.

He reminded that the Financial Aid and Direct Trade Regulation were prepared soon after the 2004 referendum in Cyprus in appreciation of the Turkish Cypriot People’s efforts towards a solution, but he complained that the Direct Trade Regulation hasn’t been approved and implemented
yet.

The Premier said that the Aid Regulation was being implemented to improve the living standards of the Turkish Cypriot people.

He pointed out that the separation of the two regulations led to a debate among the people, but said that his government and the President saw the Aid Regulation as an important step.

He noted that the 259-million euros worth aid has given moral to the Turkish Cypriot people and motivated them towards a solution and EU membership and said `We have difficulties in front of us, but they are not as big as unreachable mountains`.