Cyprus-Forum.com

[grokked]

http://www.financialmirror.com/News/Bus ... ance/21568

President of EU Parliament: Partition of Cyprus not an option for Europe

The European Parliament and the EU strongly support the efforts towards reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem which will re-unify the island to the benefit of all its people, the President of European Parliament Jerzy Buzek said today addressing the House of Representatives of Cyprus.

“For Europe”, he said, “no-solution or a partition is not an option”.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion and the occupation of the northern part of the island. UN-led negotiations begun in 2008 between the President of the Republic and Turkish Cypriot leader in an effort to reach a comprehensive solution to the problem.

The settlement of the Cyprus issue, said Buzek, will bring greater stability and prosperity to the whole Eastern Mediterranean, adding that it will also have far-reaching implications for the whole of the European Union and the Middle East.

Referring to Cyprus’ historic geopolitical role he said that throughout history, Cyprus has served as an important bridge between East and West, North and South, a crossroad which is a crucial link, connecting three continents.

We have not forgotten, he said, the central role your island played during the 2006 conflict in Lebanon.

A durable settlement would go a long way to strengthen EU-NATO relations, he noted, adding that with NATO about to unveil its new Strategic Concept, the timing would be ideal.

European Parliament President also said that the Turkish government has followed the road of reforms and its progressive alignment with the EU, pointing out however that “more needs to be done in that direction”.

Implementing the Ankara Protocol, he said, will show Turkey's commitment to fulfill its obligations to the EU.

He expressed the hope that Turkey will actively support reunification negotiations and contribute in concrete terms to a lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue, which as he said, would be in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international law and the principles on which the EU is founded.

“A solution to the Cyprus problem is within your reach”, he said, noting that “if any settlement between the two communities is to pass the test of time then it must be functional and it must be viable”.

Buzek also expressed the view of how important it is for a unified Cyprus to bring together not only land, public institutions and the economy, but also its people, adding that a bi-zonal and bi-communal Federal agreement will only work if Turkish Cypriots are fully integrated within the state’s institutions.

This, he said, involves reaching out to the T/C community right now, adding that the European institutions are doing their part to encourage social and economic development, improve infrastructure and bring Turkish Cypriots closer to the Union, because, as he noted, they too must see the benefit of integration.

“Both sides have suffered as a result of the partition” he said, “and they have suffered too long”.

Referring the ghost of town of Famagusta, which has been out of bounds within the occupied areas since 1974, he said that in its day, it was one of the wealthiest spots in the eastern Mediterranean and its Varosha quarter counted among the top tourist destinations in Cyprus, if not Europe.

“Since 1974”, he said, “Varosha remains abandoned, frozen in time, a ghost town full of empty hotels”, adding that “Famagusta is a symbol of both today's failure and possible future success”, because “it illustrates the immense potential that a unified Cyprus could unlock”.

Over the centuries, Buzek said, Cyprus has had many rulers subjecting you to foreign laws and customs, suggesting however that on the golden anniversary of Cyprus’ democracy it is perhaps time to reflect on your achievements, won through struggle and sacrifice.

“I am convinced that a lasting solution to the division of this island can, and must be found”, he said and added that the time for blaming is at an end, it is time for Cyprus not to defeat itself.

He referred to examples in that direction, such as “the close cooperation of the two communities in the sensitive issue of the missing persons,” which “shows that when there is a will, there is a way”.

The European Parliament, he added, has strongly supported the efforts of the two sides and the Committee of Missing Persons to find and identify the missing persons from both communities.

It was on the initiative of the European Parliament that substantial funds from the Community budget were allocated for this purpose, he pointed out.

Buzek also underlined that the EU is here to help “but this is something that both communities must achieve on their own since no imposed solution will ever be credible”.

Furthermore, Buzek referred to a poem written by a Turkish -Cypriot, Neshe Yashin, while a Greek-Cypriot Marios Tokas, wrote the music for this poem, transforming it into a loved song by both communities on the island. Neshe wrote:

“They say a person should
love their homeland
that’s also what
my father often says.
My homeland
has been divided in two
which of the two pieces
should I love?”

“The answer is both,” Buzek stressed.

He also expressed his sincere hope that in the very near future Cyprus will once again become one homeland for all to love.

European Parliament President made special reference to Cyprus role and importance as an EU member since 2004.

“In 2012, your country will take over the Presidency of the European Union, you will be in the same troika with Poland and Denmark. I believe this is a historic opportunity to put forward an ambitious agenda for the Union,” he pointed out.

He expressed the belief that Cyprus Presidency will be remembered for years – it will have to tackle issues such as re-launching the single market, on implementing the legislation we need to achieve our 2020 strategy. We have to start working to fulfill our commitments in the fight against climate change, but more importantly in 2012 we will be ending discussions regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework.

“During your Presidency, Cyprus will play a key role in helping shape the future of Europe for the next decade,” he noted.

Buzek also acknowledged that Cyprus apart from the reunification problem still faces some other serious problems such as illegal immigration. “We know that Cyprus receives the highest number of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers compared to the population of the country,” he said.

He added that Cyprus has worked in a constructive way in this sensitive area and assured that the EU and its member states will stand by its side and assist more in every way possible in a spirit of solidarity.

As regards the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, Buzek pointed out that it has facilitated closer relations between the European Parliament and the national parliament of Cyprus, “giving you the power to flag legislation you feel is not compatible with the principle of subsidiary”.

He expressed the belief that very good cooperation on all levels is developing and Cyprus is becoming genuine partner in the EU legislative process, making European legislation better for the citizens.

Finally, Buzek congratulated Cyprus on the Nobel Prize in economics, which was earned by Christopher Pissarides of Cyprus.

He also congratulated Cyprus and its people on the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence, which was celebrated this month and expressed hope that in Cyprus the impossible may become possible.

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And, a performance of "My Country has been divided in two, which of the two halves should I love" - the first time Marios Tokas met Nese Yasin, performing the song together, in London during 1991.

[MrH]

The word Partition is very broad and ambiguous. What doesn't he mean is the question. The Greek Cypriots believe that a Confederal Model is a type of Partition, While the Swiss and the people from Belgium Clearly do not. This is the problem us Turkish Cypriots are having; The Greek Cypriots are using this "Partition" idea as an excuse to not accept a Partnership agreement on the island based on a BBF Swiss or Belgium Style Formula.

[humanist]

I found the speech very balanced and well thought. I particularly like the comments around TC's being invited in all Cyprus Institutions and that it needs to happen now.

It is to some extend hapenning already with those TC's employed in the RoC particularly the Public service.

[repulsewarrior]

Mr H, would you agree to being a Citizen of a State representing you as an Individual, while as a Person there would exist National Assemblies to provide for the infrastructure that as a Community (and a Majority) you could sustain?

Would you respect the return for some of the displaced as communities if enclaves "Turkish" and "Greek" spot the island as it is divided today? Wouldn't you agree that this cetainly identifies a redress for the injustce we suffered by the Intolerance for which we are all responsible?

...find the manifesto thingy, please.