Foreign Affairs Committee calls on Turkey to pull out occupation troops from Cyprus
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE • Fri, Mar 02, 2012
The European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) has called on Turkey to withdraw its occupation troops from Cyprus and stop the influx of illegal settlers to Cyprus’ northern Turkish occupied areas.
The Committee also points out that direct trade with the occupied part of Cyprus can only take place from Famagusta port, still under Turkish occupation.
The call is included in a report on Turkey, which the Committee adopted today.
According to a press release issued by Cypriot MEP and member of AFET Ioannis Kasoulides, the report was drafted by Dutch MEP Ria Oomen- Ruijten.
For the first time a political decision is taken to the effect that direct trade from Cyprus' northern Turkish occupied areas can only take place from Famagusta port, following a Republic of Cyprus decision and under EU customs supervision, the press release says.
The report also points out that Famagusta town must be returned to the UN in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 550, noting that this is a prerequisite for direct trade between the occupied areas and the EU.
MEPs express disappointment with Turkish statements on a freeze of relations between Turkey and Cyprus’ EU presidency in the second half of 2012, underlining at the same time their solidarity with Cyprus.
In addition Turkey is considered to be responsible for the lack of dialogue between the EU and NATO and is urged to lift its veto on cooperation between the two organisations, and allow participation of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Republic, on the other hand, is called upon to lift its veto on Turkey’s participation in the European Defence Organisation.
MEPs call on Ankara to sign and ratify without delay the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, something which is of direct concern to Cyprus, particularly in relation to hydrocarbon reserves.
The report refers to the opening of accession chapters, by way of a compromise amendment agreed upon by the rapporteur and representatives of political groups.
The compromise amendment calls on the Commission to consider steps which could lead to the opening of chapter 24 and calls for renewed efforts for the preparation of a report on chapter 23.
MEPs express dissatisfaction with Ankara’s refusal to fulfill its obligation for full and without discrimination implementation of the additional protocol of Turkey- EU Association Agreement. It is recalled that this refusal continues to deeply affect the negotiating process.
On her part and despite the fact that two of her proposed amendments were adopted - one regarding Turkey’s plans to build a nuclear plant in Akkuyu and one calling for increased cohesion between Turkey’s regions - Cypriot MEP Antigoni Papadopoulou voted against the report.
A press release issued by her office states that there were references in the final draft which are contrary to the Republic of Cyprus’ interests.
The fact that the possibility of opening new negotiating chapters for Turkey remains open is not acceptable when Ankara does not conform with its obligations towards Cyprus and the EU in general, she said.
In a press release issued by Cypriot MEP Kyriakos Mavronikolas, it is noted that a great debate took place within the Socialist Group in order to prevent a positive outcome for an amendment referring indirectly to direct trade with the occupied areas.
According to Mavronikolas an amendment which calls on Turkey to put an end to the illegal settling of the island, aiming to alter its demographic character was submitted by himself and Socialist Group leader Hannes Swoboda.
— Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2012
http://famagusta-gazette.com/foreign-af ... 668-69.htm
A positive result by the looks of it.
