| Another EU Fiasco Over Cyprus |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Tuesday, 06 December 2005 | |
 The European Union (EU) heads from one crisis to another over the Cyprus issue.
The EU, guaranteeing membership to the Greek Cypriots before the resolution of
the problem, is now having subsequent fiascos to end isolation on Turks, who
said "yes" to the Annan Plan in 24 April 2004.The Greek Cypriot Administration, becoming a member to represent the whole island one week after having said "no" to the Annan Plan, continues vetoing all attempts to free the Turks from isolation. The European Commission's declaration about its plans to realize the direct trade regulations vetoed by the Greek Cypriots caused violent objections by both the Greek Cypriot Administration and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Diplomatic resources in Brussels emphasize a declaration not approved by both sides will not work and point out the possibility of the attempt resulting in a fiasco. EU resources verified the Commission issued a declaration and is working on opening Maras to the settlement in exchange for opening the Gazi Magosa (Famagusta) Port to direct trade and declaring moratorium in selling the properties belonging to the Greek Cypriots in the North and to the Turks in the South. The resources state the issue of to whom the Famagusta port and the administration of Maras (Varosha) will be transferred is still being discussed and say the authority can be given to TRNC offices, Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) or can be made subject to a temporary regulation. It is not certain when and how the declaration will be issued and it may not be issued at all if the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish parts do not give consent. These kinds of conditions were not present in the direct trade regulations prepared by the Commission last year. In response to the criticisms about the Turkish part continuously requesting to make concessions, they say the Greek Cypriots blocked all suggestions in Cyprus and there is no other way out. As a reason for the declaration to be made by the Commission, they say it is not possible for the Council composed of member countries to reach an agreement on such a declaration. In preparing the declaration, the Commission was inspired from the proposals made by the term president Luxembourg last June. The EU resources defend the financial support and direct trade regulations will most probably be approved at different times but the 259-million-euro financial support must not be considered just as "money". It is pointed out this amount of money will be used for Turkish Cyprus’ infrastructure, forming of the institutional structures, practice of the EU acquis, coordination of the EU projects and the development of relationship network with Brussels. It is claimed TRNC will enter a full isolation in 2006 if the financial support does not pass and if the financial support regulations do not pass until the end of the year, 120 million euros of its will not be used. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 06 December 2005 ) |
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