Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sotos]

A RESOLUTION, which among other things called on Turkey to respect its obligations toward the European Union, including lifting its ban on the use of Turkish ports and airports by Cypriot ships and planes, was adopted overwhelmingly yesterday by the European Parliament.

The reference to Cyprus was part of a report on EU expansion prepared by German Conservative MP Elmar Brok, the Chairman of the EU Parliament's foreign affairs committee which was adopted by 397 votes for, 95 against and with 37 abstentions.

The reference to Cyprus stated that the EU Parliament: "Calls on the Turkish authorities to fully implement the provisions stemming from the Customs Union Agreement and the priorities in the Accession Partnership and to remove without delay all restrictions on the free movement of goods affecting, inter alia, vessels flying the flag of the Republic of Cyprus or ships approaching Turkish ports from harbours in the Republic of Cyprus, or Cypriot aircraft; calls on the Turkish government to state clearly that the Declaration is not part of the ratification process in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, thereby enabling the European Parliament to ratify the Additional Protocol'.'

"Now it is high time for Turkey to take the next step (on Cyprus)'' Brok told The Cyprus Weekly following the adoption of his report.

Adamant

Turkey has been adamantly refusing to comply with the EU demand, which was one of the conditions set by the EU for the opening of its accession negotiations with it. Turkey feels that such a step would amount to recognition of Cyprus as a full and equal member of the EU, something it is adamantly refusing to do.

Brok made it clear that the EU parliament will only ratify the EU-Turkey will only approve the extension of its existing Customs Union agreement with Turkey if Ankara ends the ban on Cypriot ships and planes.

He said that recognition of all the 10 new EU member states, including Cyprus, "is a necessary component for (Turkey's) accession process."

The adoption of the Brok report coincided with noticeable growing interest on Cyprus here, particularly following the decision at the Paris meeting earlier this month of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan with President Tassos Papadopoulos to proceed with a new effort for the resumption of Cyprus reunification talks linked to specific interim measures.

Credible

This interest was reflected by Polish Euro MP Professor Genowefa Grabovska in an interview with The Cyprus Weekly.

"For Turkey to have really credible prospects for EU accession, the human rights of the Greek Cypriot refugees have to be respected,'' she said.

"We did that in Poland even for properties lost more than 50 or 60 years ago, much longer than in Cyprus. Why couldn't Turkey do the same?'' she asked.

Turkey rejected the Paris decisions and was so upset by this development that it refused to meet Michael Moller, Annan's Special Representative in Cyprus, considering him responsible for the outcome of the Paris meeting.

Turkey should agree to discuss the Paris proposals instead of rejecting them, Brok said.

The parliamentary vote and its reference to Cyprus resulted in increased interest on the situation on the island and particularly on the offer by President Papadopoulos for lifting trade restrictions on the breakaway state through the join use of Famagusta port under special arrangements.

"The Famagusta proposal could be a showcase for cooperation and a good pilot (project), a concrete step showing to the people that a well balanced settlement supported by both parties would benefit both,'' Dutch MEP Camiel Eurlings, the EU Rapporteur on Turkey told me in an exclusive interview.

Concrete

"What is most important is to start talking about concrete measures, like those agreed in Paris, which could be a first step that provides a view of another future that will stress the advantages of the people coming together with the disappearance of the dividing line,'' Eurling said.

He added that he expects a new momentum on Cyprus where the Famagusta proposal might contribute usefully. Both Eurling and Brok criticised the decision of Turkey to refuse to see Moller, adding that they will both seek to meet the UN official.

[kerez]

Turkey should NOT open her ports to the gc whatever pressure is put on them unless the EU holds its promise (gc need to stop blocking it) and lets the north have direct trade.

[Strahd]

Turkey should NOT open her ports to the gc whatever pressure is put on them unless the EU holds its promise (gc need to stop blocking it) and lets the north have direct trade.

It is Turkey that is blocking it with 40000 armed troops and not the government of Cyprus... you got it all wrong again...

[kerez]

Turkey should NOT open her ports to the gc whatever pressure is put on them unless the EU holds its promise (gc need to stop blocking it) and lets the north have direct trade.

It is Turkey that is blocking it with 40000 armed troops and not the government of Cyprus... you got it all wrong again...

OK smart arse, Turkey withdraws all her troops then what do you think will happen?

The TC will accept everything you demand at gun point from the GC national guard....is that what you think.

[MR-from-NG]

Well said Kerez. Welcome to the forum.

[Strahd]

Turkey should NOT open her ports to the gc whatever pressure is put on them unless the EU holds its promise (gc need to stop blocking it) and lets the north have direct trade.

It is Turkey that is blocking it with 40000 armed troops and not the government of Cyprus... you got it all wrong again...

OK smart arse, Turkey withdraws all her troops then what do you think will happen?

The TC will accept everything you demand at gun point from the GC national guard....is that what you think.

lol you are funny! very funny... The question is not what IF... it is what is hapenning now and it is exactly the opposit... The guns are not pointing at TCs, they are pointing at the occupation forces who have you imprisoned in an occuppied area of a sovereign european country.

[kerez]

Turkey should NOT open her ports to the gc whatever pressure is put on them unless the EU holds its promise (gc need to stop blocking it) and lets the north have direct trade.

It is Turkey that is blocking it with 40000 armed troops and not the government of Cyprus... you got it all wrong again...

OK smart arse, Turkey withdraws all her troops then what do you think will happen?

The TC will accept everything you demand at gun point from the GC national guard....is that what you think.

lol you are funny! very funny... The question is not what IF... it is what is hapenning now and it is exactly the opposit... The guns are not pointing at TCs, they are pointing at the occupation forces who have you imprisoned in an occuppied area of a sovereign european country.

Imprisoned....what on earth are you talking about, they are the ones who stopped and are stopping your EOKA lunatics from killing any more TC, beyond that we both know that unless a comprehensive solution is agreed the Turkish army will stay and that said for any solution to happen we need Tpap to talk with Talat hence the only reason we are still talking on this forum about a solution is because the GC turk hating leader is more interested in getting concessions from Turkey then a solution.

[Strahd]

No comment... I am not going to dicuss statements of this nature. By the way is not only me who is saying this, it is the UN and the EU... but they are probably afraid of general Grivas coming out of the grave to slay them...

lol!

[kerez]

No comment... I am not going to dicuss statements of this nature. By the way is not only me who is saying this, it is the UN and the EU... but they are probably afraid of general Grivas coming out of the grave to slay them...

lol!

I like the way you use the UN and EU when it suits your arguement, they are also saying you should have accepted the 'Annan plan' and also approve Turkeys new 'action plan' so why not listen to them now.

[Main_Source]

I can say the same about Turks calling themselves Muslim or Secular when it suits them.

Imprisoned....what on earth are you talking about, they are the ones who stopped and are stopping your EOKA lunatics from killing any more TC, beyond that we both know that unless a comprehensive solution is agreed the Turkish army will stay and that said for any solution to happen we need Tpap to talk with Talat hence the only reason we are still talking on this forum about a solution is because the GC turk hating leader is more interested in getting concessions from Turkey then a solution.

Thats why I cant be bothered to talk to most Turks about this issue. You have been brainwashed to thinking Turkey and the Ottoman empire has an angelic history and all conflicts are never the fault of Turks. You also lie about Greek Cypriot leader.