News from Cyprus

CYPRUS MAIL
Greek Cypriots trust EU more than their own government
Greek Cypriots have more trust in the EU more than they do in their own government and parliament, and even more than other European citizens. The latest eurobarometer survey showed the level of trust that Greek Cypriots have towards the government decreased from 64 percent in spring 2007 to 49 percent by autumn, a drop of 15 percent. Trust in the House of Representatives fell from 67 percent to 49 percent in the same period. However, trust in the EU institutions was higher than the EU average of 48 percent, even though that too has fallen. The majority of Cypriot citizens – some 55 percent – trusted the EU but this was down from 61 percent in spring 2007... At the same time, almost half of Cypriot citizens consider the EU membership of Cyprus neither a good thing, nor a bad thing. Some 40 percent consider it a good thing and 15 percent a bad thing... According to the survey the two main problems worrying Cypriots remain inflation and crime.
CYPRUS MAIL
Turkish Cypriot support for Europe slides
The level of Turkish Cypriot support for the EU and its institutions has fallen considerably since last year and only 68 percent of people in the north are now satisfied with their lives, according to a new eurobarometer survey published yesterday. The report said there was a feeling within the Turkish Cypriot community that there would not be a solution to the Cyprus problem in the short term. “Similarly, an increasing number of Turkish Cypriots now believe that the promises made to the Turkish Cypriot community by the European Union have not been kept and/or carried out,” it said. Another contributing factor to the ‘negative feeling’ among Turkish Cypriots has been the gradual slowdown of the economic boom that had been taking place over the last few years... Although 67 percent in the north said their economy was good, 52 percent complained about unemployment... Some 45 percent of Turkish Cypriots listed the Cyprus problem as their main concern. The survey also showed a low level of trust in the UN among Turkish Cypriots. Only 30 percent said they trusted the UN, a drop of 12 percent since the last survey... Almost three querters of Turkish Cypriots think their voice is not taken into account in the EU and only 29 percent said they thought the Turkish Cypriot community would have more of a say in the EU in the future.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
British MEP to examine issue of British Bases
British member of the European Parliament, member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, will visit Cyprus on Wednesday to look into the issue of the British Bases in Cyprus, their impact on human rights and the political freedoms of citizens who live in the Bases as well as the contradiction with the acquis communautaire. Accompanied by Cypriot MEP Marios Matsakis, Davies will visit February 7 the areas of Dhekelia and Akrotiri, where he will meet with the Bases Commander, the local authorities and citizens.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Cyprus rejects EU Commissioner's position on occupied ports
The government disagrees with the view of the Enlargement European Commissioner that Cyprus’ Turkish ports and airports can be used by ships and aircraft of third countries, even though Nicosia has declared them illegal ports of entry. “The position of the government on the issue of the occupied ports is completely different than that which EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has,” Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas has said. Palmas noted that the position of the European Council is also completely different to that expressed by Rehn. He recalled that the European Commission was in favour of direct trade between the EU and the Turkish Cypriot community, through close ports. Palmas said that there is variation in the position of the European instruments and pointed out that final decisions will be taken by the European Council.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Papadopoulos:Schroeder's visit to occupied areas "a sad development"
Papadopoulos has described Schroeder’s visit as “a very sad development”, expressing regret for the fact that Schroeder, acting as an individual, continues to maintain the same positions towards Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. Spokesman Vassilis Palmas has said that Schroeder will visit the occupied areas as an individual representing some businessmen and noted that “he no longer has the political clout he had in the past.” He said that all representations have been made to avert Schroeder’s visit but since this is as private visit they did not bear fruit, because no one can force an individual to visit or not to visit a certain place. Charges d’ affaires of the German embassy here Joachin Heidorn underlined the fact that Schroeder is not a government official any more and but a private citizen. Heidorn said that as a German citizen, Schroeder could not be prevented from paying this visit, adding that the embassy is in no way involved in this visit and that Schroeder had not informed the embassy about this trip.Heidron also noted that Schroeder will be accompanied by businessmen interested in investing in the north.
COMMENTATY
CYPRUS MAIL
When will we start heeding the omens?
“Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder flies in to the north today, as the guest of the Turkish Cypriot authorities in an effort to boost trade to the breakaway state. He may no longer be in office, and the German embassy has underlined that his visit is entirely private, but the fact remains that Herr Schroeder is an extremely high profile figure of the European scene and that his visit is causing acute embarrassment to the government, especially so close to an election. Neither is it clear if his visit has anything to do with his position at the Russian oil giant Gazprom. What it is clear is that Moscow is not particularly bothered by the association, something that should give AKEL cause to reflect given the importance it gives to Russia in its hopes to advocate the Greek Cypriot cause... The measures the opposition calls for are nothing more than rearguard actions, as our standing among countries once sympathetic to our cause steadily unravels since the Annan plan referendum of 2004. they may slow down the process but they cannot stem the determination of the international community to ease what we bizarrely describe as “the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.” That determination is the result of the systematic bad faith shown by the government of Tassos Papadopoulos (and his ally for the longest time Demetris Christofias, whatever he may say today) in its dealings both with the Turkish Cypriots and the international community...”