Turkey's FM says direct trade with N.Cyprus EU's obligations Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu said the direct trade regulation and opening of Gazi Magusa port were obligations of the EU.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010 16:49
Turkey's foreign minister said on Wednesday that direct trade regulation of the European Union (EU) with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) could not be associated with any other issue.
Turkish FM
Ahmet Davutoglu said the direct trade regulation and opening of Gazi Magusa port were obligations of the EU, and Turkey was expecting the EU to implement its related decision. "Therefore, it is not right to associate direct trade regulation (with Turkish Cypriots) with Maras (Varosha) issue," Davutoglu told a joint press conference with Sudan's Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali Ahmed Karti in Ankara.
Davutoglu's remarks came after Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias' remarks that the Greek Cypriot administration could shed a green light to trade between Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the EU through Gazi Magusa port if the control of Maras region was given to the United Nation (UN).
"Turkey supports ongoing Cyprus negotiations, and still believes that a solution can be found to the (Cyprus) question soon in case of a strong political will," Davutoglu said.
Davutoglu said unfortunately the Greek Cypriot administration was taking its time regarding a settlement despite good will of Turkish Cypriots, and opposed to a schedule.
The Turkish minister said the Greek Cypriot administration was trying to divert the issue instead of discussing creative proposals of the Turkish side, and underlined the importance Turkey attached to intense efforts aiming to find a comprehensive settlement to Cyprus controversy.
"We will not let Turkish Cypriots to be punished by unjust embargoes, and we will not consider such a move legitimate. Maras is an issue related with comprehensive settlement," Davutoglu also said.
In 2004, the EU adopted a council regulation on special conditions for trade with TRNC. It offers a preferential regime for products entering the Customs Territory of the EU and contains inter alia detailed rules concerning the documents which would certify the origin of goods and which would be issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce or another duly authorised body, phytosanitary inspection, food and product safety, taxation issues, communication obligations, and safeguard measures in the event of ineffective cooperation, irregularities or fraud.
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