EU DISCUSSES CYPRUS REGULATION

Yesterday (28 April), the Cyprus regulation was discussed by the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), which is made up of the permanent representatives of EU member countries, in Brussels.

With the changes made to the Cyprus regulation, COREPER, has taken measures aimed at easing the TRNC’s economic isolation.

According to the package prepared by EU Ambassadors and aimed at easing the economic islolation of the Turkish Cypriot side, TRNC and EU citizens can cross over to the Greek Cypriot Administration without a visa, EU citizens are now able to come directly to the TRNC, and measures have been taken which now enable TRNC citrus producers to freely sell their products in the Greek Cypriot side.

In addition to this (Cyprus) regulation, the EU Ambassadors have also given the EU Commission the authority to prepare a regulation on this issue and conciliation has also been reached on a framework agreement. The EU will prepare to draw up a list of all the goods that the TRNC will be able to export to the EU. In the list being prepared, the EU Commission will outline the goods that can directly be exported from TRNC ports and those goods that can be exported via the Greek Cypriot ports.

Another point foreseen in the regualtion is that the TRNC will directly receive 259 million Euros in financial aid and a communication office will also be opened in the Turkish Cypriot side. With this formula the EU permanent representatives have eliminated the veto threat of the Greek Cypriot side and Greece.

 

TRNC NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE START INITIATIVE FOR LIFTING SPORTS EMBARGO

The TRNC National Olympic Committee has announced that it will engage in direct contacts with EU and international sporting associations for lifting the sports embargo imposed upon the Turkish Cypriot people.

In a written statement issued by the TRNC National Olympic Committee, it was stated that after the 24 April referendum, new horizons had opened for Turkish Cypriot sportsmen, who had been subjected to unlawful and inhumane embargoes for many years.

Pointing out that the Committee would engage in efforts to establish direct contacts with EU and international sporting associations regarding the lifting of these sporting embargoes, the statement said for these studies to be planned and implemented, a meeting would be set up with the chairman’s of sporting federation and coordination committees would also be set up. The importance of securing the cooperation of the Ministry for Youth and Sports was also stated.

 

RACIST GREEK CYPRIOT ORTHODOX CHURCH TO BE TAKEN TO EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Turkish Cypriot lawyers in Germany and the UK are complaining to the European Court of Human Rights about the racist stance adopted by the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church against the Turkish Cypriot people during the referendum campaign.

In their case filed to the European Court of Human Rights, Turkish Cypriot lawyers, Hasan Vahip and Mulayim Huseyin, have also filed a complaint against the Greek Cypriot Administration, who contrary to EU laws, regulations and philosophy, closed its eyes to the fact that the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church perceived the Turkish Cypriot people as a minority, saw the Greek Cypriot people as a superior ethnic group, and permitted a religious organization to become involved in politics.