Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper [25.01.08] under the title Getting ready for harmonization with the EU, reports that EU officials who have launched the work of the harmonization together with the Turkish Cypriots have met with political party officials in the TRNC.
The harmonization work is being carried out for twelve chapters: Free Movement of Capital, Public Tenders, Corporate Law, Competition Law, Financial Services, Agricultural and Rural Development, Food Safety, Transportation Policies, Statistics, Social Policy Works, Environment and Consumer and Health Protection.
The paper reports that the day before yesterday, the EU delegation briefed the council of ministers regarding the harmonization work. The EU delegation is headed by Andrew Rasbash, responsible of the Task Force of the General Directorate for the Enlargement of the EU for the Turkish Cypriots, and Alain Bothorel, Director of the EU Support Office.
After their meeting with the EU delegation, the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Omer Kalyoncu said that the initiative for the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriots with the EU, which aims at the solution, is being carried out for some time.
Mr Kalyoncu noted that the EU, in spite of the objections of the Greek Cypriots, has sent official letters to the representatives of the Turkish Cypriot people and undertook an initiative for the launching of the harmonization work.
Today it was announced that the harmonization work regarding twelve chapters has begun. However, the foundation of this work had been laid a long time ago in Brussels. Our representatives there had carried out a preparatory work, he added.
Mr Kalyoncu pointed out that the starting of the harmonization work does not mean that they recognize the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and noted that the work began with a separate decision of the EU. He said that until a solution is reached in Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots will be representing themselves and contribute to these efforts.
Furthermore, the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), Tahsin Ertugruloglu pointed out to the importance of the dialogue with the EU and to the fact that they could learn many things from it. However, he added, this relation should be put in the right perspective.
He said: This relation does not mean acceptance of the fact that the Greek Cypriots are a member of the EU in the name of the whole Cyprus. This relation in no way means rejection of the TRNC. We have clearly stated this position we have.
Meanwhile, the member of the council of the Democratic Party (DP), Ata Atun said that they support until the end the accession of the Turkish Cypriots to the EU and they back the meeting of the EU Financial Aid Committee. Mr Atun said that they have noted that they object to the provision of the Financial Aid Regulation and the EU Cyprus Regulation that the Republic of Cyprus has rights on the territories of the TRNC. We consider the meeting useful. If it continues under the conditions we have in mind, we are ready to give every kind of support, he said.
Furthermore, the leader of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP), Mehmet Cakici said that they proceed step by step towards the EU and added that depending on the establishment of a federation and the reaching of a solution in Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots will take their place in the EU in the future.
Noting that the harmonization work with the acquis of the EU should be advanced, Mr Cakici said: There will be harmonization work and the 259 million - euro financial aid will be materialized. When a solution is found, the Turkish Cypriots will take their place in the EU.
Mr Cakici reminded that the Turkish Cypriots as individuals are members of the EU and argued that they should use their communal rights as well. He pointed out that the harmonization work should be understood in the right manner and said:
This is not a work for harmonization of the TRNC. It is the preparation of the procedure of the accession to the EU, which will come about with the solution. The people should not be deceived by the lie of the TRNC is acceding into the EU with 12 chapters. The Turkish Cypriots will enter the EU with the solution. The conditions of the solution are known: Its name is a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal Cyprus. The fact that they do not adopt the point saying that harmonization work is carried out with the EU is included in the text.
Finally, in an exclusive interview with Kibris, Erhan Ercin, responsible of the EU Coordination Centre of the prime ministers office, said that the aim of the harmonization work is to create the ground which will give the opportunity to the legal and administrative structure of the Turkish Cypriots to approach the acquis of the EU.
2008 what a good year for the TRNC 
