Mr. T wrote:The following article from the Cyprus Mail makes it seem that at long last that direct trade trade between the EU and the TRNC is looking quite likely.
'THE GOVERNMENT yesterday launched an investigation into how Cyprus was caught unawares by the European Union’s intention to revisit the dormant regulation proposal on direct trade between the EU and the north.
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou announced that the cabinet has appointed Agriculture Ministry permanent secretary Egli Pantelaki to look into the affair.
The Cyprus Mail has learned that an informative document was sent out on December 2, 2009, including a general list of pending issues, within which was the direct trade regulation.
This was not officially submitted to member states or flagged as important by the Council as often happens with key documents but simply distributed automatically as a “general policy” document.
On March 1, 2010, the Commission officially used its legal initiative to submit proposals to the EP, including one on direct trade. The Cyprus Representation was not informed of this, either formally or through dialogue with Commission officials.
Stefanou said that according to EU procedures European Commission proposals – like the one concerning direct trade – are also sent to member state’s parliaments, which have eight weeks to forward their views.
“So, the Cypriot Parliament must be briefed on the matter,” Stefanou said in response to criticism by the opposition.
“We are looking into this to see the potential problems in the information procedure,” the spokesman said.
On the direct trade issue per se, Stefanou said the government is doing all it can, through its contacts and relations, to deal with the matter.
Cyprus has long questioned the legal basis of the Commission’s proposal for direct trade. It maintains it has a veto on the matter, arguing that direct trade with the north is not a question of international trade, as it comes under the de jure control of the Republic of Cyprus, as stipulated in Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty.
The Commission has another view, and if Parliament concurs, then the matter will go to the Council for a vote based on qualified majority voting.'
The above is the EU's way to make Turkey take responsibility for her actions and nothing else. I'm sure Turkey is not very happy with the above decision, if the direct trade is initiated between the EU and the north. As for the TCs and the "trnc", they have even more to lose.
First of all, The RoC is making a lot of noise for nothing, other than trying to make believe that they are not happy with the EU over this decision. I'm sure the RoC is grinning with joy from ear to ear and that they are very happy with what is about to happen. The RoC has very little to worry about. If the 70 million Turkish market has not helped the TCs in the north for the past 36 years, why would any additional market. The question is, what does the north have that the EU wants.?? Answer that question and you will understand why this whole thing is nothing but a roost to get Turkey to take a stand in recognizing the RoC, to allow her access to Turkey's air and sea ports. Turkey has been using that excuse for the past few years now, that if the EU traded with the north, they will open the ports to the RoC, knowing full well, that if the RoC wanted, they could prevent it, Lisbon treaty or no Lisbon treaty. So now, the ball has been put squarely in Turkey's corner, that if Turkey opens her ports to the RoC, there will be direct trade with the north and the EU, since the north is the extension of the RoC and a EU member. If Turkey says NO to open her ports to the RoC, then there won't be any direct trade. However, the EU will push Turkey by saying to her, "we are giving you what you have asked for, now open those ports".!
But it does not just end there. Once Turkey formally recognises the RoC in order for the north to gain direct trade with the EU, she will become an official foreign occupier on the territory of the RoC. FULL STOP. The "trnc" will become even more isolated once Turkey recognises the RoC. Turkey can't recognise the RoC and the "trnc" at the same time. The "trnc" will lose their ONLY recognition, which has been Turkey. This so called "direct trade" in the end will benefit the RoC far more than it will benefit Turkey or the "trnc". In fact, it will be the beginning of the end for the "trnc".......officially.! It never did have a chance to begin with since it's inception. The EU , I believe is going to conduct an covert operation such as using the "direct trade" issue to officially disconnect Turkey from the "trnc", and the first step will be the formal recognition of the RoC by opening her ports to her, no matter how many times Turkey says "we do not recognise the RoC, but only trade with her, much like we do with Taiwan"...I say to Turkey, "Good Luck in trying to get away with that lame excuse".!
I think Mr. T once again has not seen the underlying message of what the above means, other than what he thinks he has seen on the surface. A classic YFred mistake, often also made by Mr. T..!