Lots of News on Cyprus

CYPRUS MAIL

EU says use of north ports not illegal

The European Commission does not consider illegal the use of ports in northern Cyprus, an EU official has said. In a reply to a question European MP Marios Matsakis regarding a controversial ferry service between Famagusta and Syria, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said the use of ports in the north was not prohibited. “Based on the general principles of international law, entry and exit of vessels from sea ports in the northern part of Cyprus is not prohibited,” Rehn is quoted as saying in an announcement released by Matsakis. “The Commission is not in a position to intervene regarding the Syrian authorities,” the EU official said. Matsakis had asked for the condemnation of “Syria’s unacceptable stance on the issue” and a warning that continuing this could have repercussions on its relations with the EU. Rehn’s comment did not come as a surprise to the Cypriot government. “Mr Rehn’s and in general the European Commission’s approach is clearly legalistic,” Spokesman Vasilis Palmas said. The spokesman said the Commission’s position is nothing new and is “directly connected with the position and view on direct trade with which we disgree.” The Commission has been trying for years to open direct trade with the Turkish Cypriot breakaway state, something which Nicosia strongly rejects arguing it would mean indirect recognition. “As the Republic of Cyprus, we try to safeguard our state’s interests, with every way and means,” Palmas said.

Thursday, January 24

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Libicki document withdrawn from EP Committee of Petitions

A draft report on Famagusta, prepared by the Chairman of the European Parliament Committee of Petitions, will be withdrawn, following strong objections by most Committee members. Committee chairman Marcin Libicki was obliged on Thursday, after a strong reaction from most of the Committee members, to withdraw the draft document he had written, which had been presented as a report on Famagusta. (Greek) Cypriot MEP of the European People's Party (EPP) Yiannakis Matsis said the document presented by Libicki as a report on Famagusta could not be accepted because it was ''inaccurate, contrary to reality and contained unacceptable points and references.'' Matsis advocated the withdrawal of the document, a position shared by EPP. Head of the EPP group in the Committee of Petitions, British MEP Robert Atkins, proposed that the decision to withdraw the text or not be put to the vote. Libicki dismissed the proposal, a decision which resulted in commotion in the hall and confrontation with the majority of the MEPs. Faced with this reaction, Libicki said the text would not be considered as the Committee's report but his own, adding that a new document would be drafted by the four members who had participated in the mission to Cyprus. He also said that the whole issue would be discussed after February’s presidential elections in Cyprus. Matsis said this development was positive and noted that efforts should continue so that the final report on Famagusta does not contradict international law and is not part of a process to upgrade the Turkish Cypriot regime, but instead meets the demand of the Famagusta citizens to return to their homes. Furthermore, it was considered obvious that the Turkish army was responsible for the situation, since it had refused the mission entry to Famagusta, ‘proving that Turkey is violating their personal rights, as they are guaranteed in the three fundamental freedoms of the EU, namely freedom of movement, freedom of establishment and the right to property.’ Greek MEP and Vice Chairwoman of the Committee of Petitions Maria Matsouka pointed out that the text exceeded the Committee's jurisdiction, since it linked the issue with the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, did not describe what really happened during the mission's visit to the island and was full of mistakes. Matsouka added that Libicki's text was unacceptable, both formally and substantially, and had not been put to the other members of the mission for approval.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus:Commission view on illegal sea route related to direct trade

The government believes that the European Commission view that the use of ports in Northern Cyprus is not contrary to international law relates directly to the Commission stance on direct trade between the North and the EU. “The position of Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on the use of the closed port of Famagusta by a cruise ship, on an illegal sea route to Latakia, Syria, is associated with the Commission proposed regulation on direct trade between the northern Turkish occupied part of the Republic with the EU,” Government Spokesman Vasilis Palmas said here today. His comments come in response to a reply by Rehn to Euro MP Marios Matsakis, who, in a letter to the Commission, condemned the use of the closed port of Famagusta by a passenger ship to Latakia. Matsakis had quoted Rehn as saying that the Commission believes that according to the general principles of international law, entry and exit of ships from the closed ports of Cyprus is not prohibited and therefore it is not in a position to intervene accordingly to the Syrian authorities. “The approach of Rehn and the Commission in general is strictly and clearly a legal stance”, said Palmas, pointing out that every state has the right, according to international law, to determine the ports and airports it considers legal points of entry. The Spokesman said that following the ‘1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus,’ the Republic of Cyprus has determined the illegal ports and airports. “This is our position and policy”, the Spokesman added. Replying to questions, he said the Commission’s position is not new, “it is old and is directly associated with the position and view on direct trade which we disagree with”. Palmas added that the Republic of Cyprus is trying, with every means possible, to safeguard the interests of the state, which conflict the position of the European Commission on this issue”. He also said that there has been no new development in the dialogue between Syria and Cyprus to settle the issue over the sea routes, noting however that the Foreign Ministry is continuing the communication with the relevant Syrian ministry.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Palmas: Turkey wants Annan plan solution in Cyprus

Turkey maintains a consistent and steady policy on a Cyprus solution, which is based on the Annan Plan, Spokesman Vasilis Palmas has said. Commenting on statements made yesterday by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a meeting in Ankara with his Greek counterpart Costas Karamanlis, Palmas said “Although Erdogan said that the Annan plan belongs to the past, indirectly but clearly he said that the solution of the Cyprus problem should be based on that plan, which he did not name.” The spokesman said that when Erdogan refers to the need to adopt the essence and the content of the plan, he is clearly referring to a Cyprus solution based on the parameters of the Annan plan. “The clear conclusion we draw is that Turkey is consistent and focuses on a Cyprus solution based on the Annan plan’s content”, he added. Referring to statements by the Greek Prime Minister, Palmas pointed out that “Karamalis expressed clear, consistent and firm positions on the need to implement the July agreement, of 2006, an agreement signed by the UN and both communities in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities”. The Spokesman noted that the Turkish Cypriot community “agreed and signed the July agreement upon approval by Ankara and Erdogan himself”. The Turkish Cypriot side, he stressed, “agreed and signed an agreement which it is now questioning and once more violating, referring us again to a solution, contrary to the wishes of the people of Cyprus.” On the absence of any reference by Erdogan to “two states in Cyprus, Palmas indicated that Ankara changes its views depending on who its interlocutor is. “It would be right and constructive if Turkey were to state clearly its positions and views in order to help create those conditions that could lead to progress”, he concluded. In his statements yesterday in Ankara Karamanlis reiterated the need for the full implementation of the July agreement. “About the Cyprus problem: our aim is the full implementation of the July 8, 2006 agreement for a just, viable and functional solution that would lead to the reunification of Cyprus, so that all residents of the island, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots enjoy the benefits of the EU accession”, he said. He added that the Cyprus solution should be based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, EU principles and the July agreement. In his remarks to the press, Erdogan said that the Cyprus solution should be solved under UN auspices and expressed his support for the Annan plan. “The spirit and the substance of the Annan plan could be preserved. Our effort is to solve the issue at the negotiating table. We, as guarantor powers, will encourage the interested sides for a solution”, he added.

THEPARLIAMENT.COM

EU pressed to help resolve Cyprus conflict

The EU has been urged to do 'much more’ to help resolve the ongoing political crisis in Cyprus. A group of NGOs made the demand during a visit to parliament on Wednesday, during which they lobbied MEPs and met EU officials. The NGO network, from the northern part of the island, was led by Oya Talat, wife of Mehmet Ali Talat, president of TRNC since April 2005. She said, “We have come to Brussels to step up our campaign for more EU support for the north. “But we also want the EU, including parliament, to do more to help resolve the current political situation in our country.” She said that, after next year’s European parliamentary elections, the network wants the six Cypriot MEPs to include two from the north. “This is essential in order to correct the imbalance which currently exists. We in the north feel excluded, economically, socially and in many other ways, from the rest of the international community.”