News from Cyprus

CHRISTER ASP: “EU DID NOT FULFIL ITS OBLIGATIONS RELATED WITH THE CYPRUS ISSUE”

The Swedish Ambassador to Ankara Christer Asp stated that the EU promised that the isolations imposed upon the TRNC would be lifted however this political determination has not be realized, and he added: “ Sweden feels annoyance that it has not become true. We took some steps, but more steps should be taken. The EU did not fulfil its obligations concerning the Cyprus issue.”

Defending that the Cyprus issue should be solved before Turkey becomes a full member of the EU, Ambassador Asp stated that the Swedish government think that the Cyprus issue should be solved under the umbrella of the United Nations.

Ambassador Asp pointed out that the EU, international community and the UN Secretary General should carry the subject to the top level of the agenda for finding a solution to the Cyprus issue.

Concerning the subject, stating that he hoped that the conditions in 2008 would be better than in the years of 2005 and 2006, Asp pointed out that the international community and the UN Secretariat General has to discuss the Cyprus issue after the “the presidency elections” that is planned to be held in February 2008 in the Greek Cypriot side and said “I think, the year of 2008 will be an opportunity for the Cyprus issue.”