Cyprus-Forum.com

[humanist]

Proposals on Famagusta
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE 19.JUL.10
Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said that the proposals announced Thursday by President Christofias on Famagusta and the international conference on Cyprus, give a strong motive to the EU to be more engaged and to demand Turkey`s cooperation for the implementation of those proposals.

“President Christofias has again announced a new package of proposals which is in the interests of the international community, the EU and Turkey,” he said.

Describing the proposals as balanced, he said they are to the benefit of all sides.

“For this reason, Turkey can have a motive to cooperate for the implementation of those proposals and thus give a strong impetus to its EU accession course and to the achievement of a solution in Cyprus”, he pointed out.

He said that Nicosia wishes for a more active EU involvement in Cyprus, noting that Turkey’s EU accession can work as a catalyst so that Ankara cooperates in efforts to reach a solution in Cyprus.

Stephanou recalled that the December 2009 EU Council had noted that Turkey had not yet fulfilled its obligations towards Cyprus, despite Turkish statements for a solution soon.

Cyprus, he said, continues its intensive efforts to achieve a solution and undertakes initiatives.

Asked whether there will be a new procedure similar to the one in Buergenstock, Switzerland, in 2004, Stephanou said that “it has been stated that if we don`t accept Turkey’s proposal we will have a new Buergenstock.``

``I would like to stress that Turkey has made one proposal, reiterated recently by its Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, which is actually a new Buergenstock,” he added.

Saying that the Republic of Cyprus has rejected this proposal, he noted that Nicosia has proposed something to which the UN Secretary General refers to in his latest report on his good offices in Cyprus.

“If and when he deems that an international conference can take place for the resolution of the international aspects of the Cyprus problem, this must be done”, he went on to say.

He explained that the Cypriot President is in favour of an international conference, organised by the UN with the participation of the five permanent UN Security Council members, the EU, the guarantor powers, the Republic of Cyprus and the two communities of Cyprus, in order to solve the international aspects of the Cyprus issue.

The Spokesman said that Cyprus continues its efforts for the resolution of the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem, noting that “the solution, as we have agreed with the UN Secretary General, must be mutually acceptable, the two leaders must agree and the agreed solution will then be subject to approval by the two communities in two separate referenda”.

Asked about the EU proposed direct trade regulation of the EU countries with the Turkish Cypriot community, Stephanou stressed that the regulation is not based on a correct legal or political basis.

He recalled that the conclusions of the April 2006 EU Foreign Ministers’ Council note that measures must be taken so that Turkish Cypriots can benefit from Cyprus’ EU accession with a view to reunify Cyprus.

The direct trade regulation, he stressed, does not work in favour of the reunification of Cyprus.

“The proposed direct trade regulation serves the division of the island”, he pointed out.

He noted that the President’s proposal is based on UN Security Council resolution 550 of 1984 which since then remains unimplemented due to Turkey’s refusal to respect it.

Stephanou added that this proposal can give Turkish Cypriots the possibility to enhance their relations with the EU and give the Union a motive to act to the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community.

On Thursday, the Cypriot President announced three proposals on the Cyprus issue. The first suggests the linking of the discussion of three of the chapters of the Cyprus problem, those dealing with property, territory and immigration, for easing the resolution of the thorny chapter of properties and for expediting the dialogue.

The second proposal urges Turkey to apply UN Security Council resolution 550, which calls for the transfer of the fenced off area of Varosha, in Famagusta, to the administration of the United Nations. Part of this proposal is the opening of the port of Famagusta under EU auspices to benefit the Turkish Cypriots.

The third proposal is to convene an international conference when within range of an agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
- Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2010

[humanist]

Interesting to hear your views on this ... sounds good from this side of the fence

[vaughanwilliams]

Proposals on Famagusta
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE 19.JUL.10
Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said that the proposals announced Thursday by President Christofias on Famagusta and the international conference on Cyprus, give a strong motive to the EU to be more engaged and to demand Turkey`s cooperation for the implementation of those proposals.

“President Christofias has again announced a new package of proposals which is in the interests of the international community, the EU and Turkey,” he said.

Describing the proposals as balanced, he said they are to the benefit of all sides.

“For this reason, Turkey can have a motive to cooperate for the implementation of those proposals and thus give a strong impetus to its EU accession course and to the achievement of a solution in Cyprus”, he pointed out.

He said that Nicosia wishes for a more active EU involvement in Cyprus, noting that Turkey’s EU accession can work as a catalyst so that Ankara cooperates in efforts to reach a solution in Cyprus.

Stephanou recalled that the December 2009 EU Council had noted that Turkey had not yet fulfilled its obligations towards Cyprus, despite Turkish statements for a solution soon.

Cyprus, he said, continues its intensive efforts to achieve a solution and undertakes initiatives.

Asked whether there will be a new procedure similar to the one in Buergenstock, Switzerland, in 2004, Stephanou said that “it has been stated that if we don`t accept Turkey’s proposal we will have a new Buergenstock.``

``I would like to stress that Turkey has made one proposal, reiterated recently by its Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, which is actually a new Buergenstock,” he added.

Saying that the Republic of Cyprus has rejected this proposal, he noted that Nicosia has proposed something to which the UN Secretary General refers to in his latest report on his good offices in Cyprus.

“If and when he deems that an international conference can take place for the resolution of the international aspects of the Cyprus problem, this must be done”, he went on to say.

He explained that the Cypriot President is in favour of an international conference, organised by the UN with the participation of the five permanent UN Security Council members, the EU, the guarantor powers, the Republic of Cyprus and the two communities of Cyprus, in order to solve the international aspects of the Cyprus issue.

The Spokesman said that Cyprus continues its efforts for the resolution of the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem, noting that “the solution, as we have agreed with the UN Secretary General, must be mutually acceptable, the two leaders must agree and the agreed solution will then be subject to approval by the two communities in two separate referenda”.

Asked about the EU proposed direct trade regulation of the EU countries with the Turkish Cypriot community, Stephanou stressed that the regulation is not based on a correct legal or political basis.

He recalled that the conclusions of the April 2006 EU Foreign Ministers’ Council note that measures must be taken so that Turkish Cypriots can benefit from Cyprus’ EU accession with a view to reunify Cyprus.

The direct trade regulation, he stressed, does not work in favour of the reunification of Cyprus.

“The proposed direct trade regulation serves the division of the island”, he pointed out.

He noted that the President’s proposal is based on UN Security Council resolution 550 of 1984 which since then remains unimplemented due to Turkey’s refusal to respect it.

Stephanou added that this proposal can give Turkish Cypriots the possibility to enhance their relations with the EU and give the Union a motive to act to the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community.

On Thursday, the Cypriot President announced three proposals on the Cyprus issue. The first suggests the linking of the discussion of three of the chapters of the Cyprus problem, those dealing with property, territory and immigration, for easing the resolution of the thorny chapter of properties and for expediting the dialogue.

The second proposal urges Turkey to apply UN Security Council resolution 550, which calls for the transfer of the fenced off area of Varosha, in Famagusta, to the administration of the United Nations. Part of this proposal is the opening of the port of Famagusta under EU auspices to benefit the Turkish Cypriots.

The third proposal is to convene an international conference when within range of an agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
- Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2010

As far as I am aware the port of Famagusta is already open so I'm not sure what "extra" benefit there could be.
Ferries run in/out of there and shipping uses the port. My own container and car were shipped from UK to TRNC through Famagusta.

[Nikitas]

"As far as I am aware the port of Famagusta is already open so I'm not sure what "extra" benefit there could be.
Ferries run in/out of there and shipping uses the port. My own container and car were shipped from UK to TRNC through Famagusta."

So all that crap about embargoes and isolation is just that, crap, cynically invoked to ask for more and more and more.

[humanist]

Perhaps they refer to the Port having a legal status. I am not sure, perhaps one of the other members with more knowledge can answer that question. I think if the TC's and their leadership trully want unification this is certainly a step the right direction .... if not they have the right to pass I guess. Which is what happened the previous 34 years, with TC's living like peasants. Whilst the brothel owners drive away in Mercedes and yell no unification because they stand to loose by the tax free haven of the trnc

and there lies the lack of interest to solve the problem ...... the haves and the have nots of the beautiful trnc here all TC's are safe

[vaughanwilliams]

"As far as I am aware the port of Famagusta is already open so I'm not sure what "extra" benefit there could be.
Ferries run in/out of there and shipping uses the port. My own container and car were shipped from UK to TRNC through Famagusta."

So all that crap about embargoes and isolation is just that, crap, cynically invoked to ask for more and more and more.

I suspect the embargoes cause "isolation" in the respect that the nationality and ownership of vessels using Famagusta are restricted. However, the port itself is open to navigation. To say it is not open is the same as saying Ercan is not "open" to direct, non-stop flights.

[Nikitas]

So the port is open. The GC side would like a package deal where a third party takes over the administration of the port, and hence opens it to legalised international traffic, and at the same time the closed city is open to its inhabitants.

Regardless of the acceptability of this proposal, the opening of the city would give the economy of the WHOLE island a boost of historic proportions. The surprising thing is not that the Turkish army will not let go the city, but the silence of TCs, the potential major beneficiaries of the rebuild.

It takes a special mindset to prefer the continued decay of an unused asset rather than the riches its use would bring. And we are not mentioning the tremendous gain of goodwill that such a move would bring about.

Now I am trying to think of the last time the economy of the island received a direct 10 billion dollar boost. Economist friends say that each dollar injected directly into an economy has a tenfold diffusion effect. The calculation is intriguing at a time when both sides are holding emergency economic policy meetings.

[vaughanwilliams]

So the port is open. The GC side would like a package deal where a third party takes over the administration of the port, and hence opens it to legalised international traffic, and at the same time the closed city is open to its inhabitants.

Regardless of the acceptability of this proposal, the opening of the city would give the economy of the WHOLE island a boost of historic proportions. The surprising thing is not that the Turkish army will not let go the city, but the silence of TCs, the potential major beneficiaries of the rebuild.

It takes a special mindset to prefer the continued decay of an unused asset rather than the riches its use would bring. And we are not mentioning the tremendous gain of goodwill that such a move would bring about.

Now I am trying to think of the last time the economy of the island received a direct 10 billion dollar boost. Economist friends say that each dollar injected directly into an economy has a tenfold diffusion effect. The calculation is intriguing at a time when both sides are holding emergency economic policy meetings.

So, in exchange for opening a port which is already open, the TCs give the GCs Varosha? Not much of a deal. How about throwing Ercan into the equation?

[DT.]

So the port is open. The GC side would like a package deal where a third party takes over the administration of the port, and hence opens it to legalised international traffic, and at the same time the closed city is open to its inhabitants.

Regardless of the acceptability of this proposal, the opening of the city would give the economy of the WHOLE island a boost of historic proportions. The surprising thing is not that the Turkish army will not let go the city, but the silence of TCs, the potential major beneficiaries of the rebuild.

It takes a special mindset to prefer the continued decay of an unused asset rather than the riches its use would bring. And we are not mentioning the tremendous gain of goodwill that such a move would bring about.

Now I am trying to think of the last time the economy of the island received a direct 10 billion dollar boost. Economist friends say that each dollar injected directly into an economy has a tenfold diffusion effect. The calculation is intriguing at a time when both sides are holding emergency economic policy meetings.

So, in exchange for opening a port which is already open, the TCs give the GCs Varosha? Not much of a deal. How about throwing Ercan into the equation?

The more villages like Tymbou you wish to return the better. Go ahead from me

[vaughanwilliams]

So the port is open. The GC side would like a package deal where a third party takes over the administration of the port, and hence opens it to legalised international traffic, and at the same time the closed city is open to its inhabitants.

Regardless of the acceptability of this proposal, the opening of the city would give the economy of the WHOLE island a boost of historic proportions. The surprising thing is not that the Turkish army will not let go the city, but the silence of TCs, the potential major beneficiaries of the rebuild.

It takes a special mindset to prefer the continued decay of an unused asset rather than the riches its use would bring. And we are not mentioning the tremendous gain of goodwill that such a move would bring about.

Now I am trying to think of the last time the economy of the island received a direct 10 billion dollar boost. Economist friends say that each dollar injected directly into an economy has a tenfold diffusion effect. The calculation is intriguing at a time when both sides are holding emergency economic policy meetings.

So, in exchange for opening a port which is already open, the TCs give the GCs Varosha? Not much of a deal. How about throwing Ercan into the equation?

The more villages like Tymbou you wish to return the better. Go ahead from me

Har,har!