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BARONESS
SARAH LUDFORD IN TRNC
British MP and member of the
Group for the Association of European Liberals and Democrats, Baroness Sarah
Ludford and Islington Liberal Democrats MP, Meral Ece, arrived in the TRNC
on 4 February for various contacts with TRNC officials.
Speaking during her meeting
with Prime Minister Talat, Baroness Ludford pointing out that her visit was
to show support for the Turkish Cypriots, said she has always supported a
Cyprus settlement and the island's reunification.
Explaining that her visit
was aimed at seeing the developments on the island, Baroness Lutford said in
her meetings with political leaders she wanted to receive information about
the developments that had taken place in Cyprus since the 24 April 2004
referendum.
Speaking after visiting the
TRNC Chamber of Commerce, Baroness Ludford, expressing concern that progress
on the direct financial aid and trade regulations was slow in Brussels, said
after the Turkish Cypriots 'yes' vote in the referendum, the positive
effects of this should have continued in Europe, unfortunately this wasn't
realized and was a great injustice.
Pointing out that it would
be for everyone's benefit to prepare North Cyprus for EU membership and that
there were many things that could be done on the EU acquis communitaire and
infrastructrure, Baroness Lutford said: "We know what needs to be done, so
let's do it".
EUROPEAN MP'S IN
TRNC
A group of European MP's
arrived in the TRNC on 4 February for a series of contacts with TRNC
officials. The delegation, which is headed by
the deputy leaders of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, Jan
Marinus Wiersma and Hannes Swoboda, consists of the European Parliament's
Foreign Affairs Committee's Cyprus Rapporteur, Mechtild Rothe, European
Parliament member, Panagiotis Beglitis and the Program Director for the
Willy Brand Program for Successful Development, Rob Van de Water and his
assistant Imogen Sudbery.
Speaking after meeting Prime Minister Talat on 5 February, Mr. Wiersma said
the purpose of the delegation's visit was to
see the situation in Cyprus at first hand and have contacts
with both Greek and Turkish Cypriot officials to end the Turkish Cypriots'
isolation. For his part, Prime Minister Talat said this approach encouraged
the Turkish Cypriot people to continue its determination in achieving a
Cyprus settlement and at the same time supported the Turkish Cypriots in
taking its place within the EU.
Pointing out that he hoped a Cyprus settlement would eventually be achieved,
Mr. Wiersma said he hoped a new initiative would start in this direction.
Explaining that the European Parliament and the Socialist Group supported
the direct financial aid and trade regulations, Mr. Wiersma also added that
he was pleased progress was being achieved on the Green Line Regulation.
SERDAR DENKTAS: "GREEN LINE REGULATION CANNOT REPLACE THE DIRECT
TRADE REGULATION"
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Serdar Denktas,
speaking to the Anatolian News Agency correspondent said the Turkish Cypriot
side was ready for a settlement and for the negotiations to start the Greek
Cypriot Leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, had to work towards a settlement and
prove his sincerity on this issue to the UN Secretary-General.
Responding to a question asked about the changes being made to the Green
Line Regulation, Minister Denktas, pointing out that this regulation
couldn't replace the Direct Trade Regulation, which was on the EU's agenda,
said the Turkish Cypriot side wanted both regulations (direct financial aid
and direct trade) to be implemented at the same time, because this would
lead the way to ending the Turkish Cypriot people’s isolation and force the
Greek Cypriot side to negotiate.
Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side’s aim was to put the Cyprus issue
under the umbrella of the EU and create further difficulties for the Turkish
Cypriots and Turkey, Serdar Denktas said this was unacceptable. He said the
Cyprus issue could be solved under the UN umbrella, with the two sides
sitting at the negotiating table under equal conditions. He said: "Until we
reach this point, not a single Turkish soldier will leave the island’.
Indicating that he believed the Greek Cypriot side would be forced to put
aside its political manoeuvres and return to the negotiation table in May,
the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said this would be possible
if the Turkish Cypriot side continued to protect its will for a settlement
and if the international community exerted pressure on the Greek Cypriot
side.
Responding to another question asked about AKEL's eight-point proposal plan
to change the Annan plan, Serdar Denktas, explaining that AKEL's proposals
were not in line with the philosophy and parameters of the Annan plan, said
AKEL was trying to carry the Cyprus issue to another point within the UN.
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