Journal of Turkish Daily
April 11 2005
The EU Must End Isolation of the Turkish Cypriots
Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC) met European Union (EU)- Turkey Joint Parliamentary
Commission (JPC) Co-Chairman Joost Lagendijk on Saturday, 9 April
2005.
Lagendijk said that Greek Cypriot side should now give up preventing
the implementation of direct trade and financial assistance
regulations which is prepared by European Commission for TRNC. I
clearly express this view to Greek Cypriot officials, he added.
Lagendijk told Zaman, Turkish daily, that the Greek Cypriots played
with the EU.
The EU is responsible for not implementing these regulations for one
year and EU’s approach in this issue cannot be defended, Lagendijk
said.
”I donot want to see Turkish Cypriots under isolation. I would like
to see them at European Parliament. However, it is important to
settle a united Cyprus on the basis of Annan Plan. A progress has not
been recorded yet about this issue. I hope there will be a
development soon,” he noted.
Lagendijk said that if Greek Cypriots convey the change they want on
Annan Plan, negotiations may start on the basis of Annan Plan. EU
cannot continue with a divided island, he noted.
Meanwhile, Talat said, ”Lagendijk shows the EU policy clearly. I
share some of his views. It is necessary to find a solution to Cyprus
question, otherwise a progress cannot be recorded. It is like a chess
game. It is necessary to plan the next step.”
”Relations with the EU should be pursued with mutual understanding.
Otherwise, a progress cannot be recorded,” he added.
Talat noted, ”rights of Turkish Cypriot people and the position of
Turkey are very important.”
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been under isolation and
economic embargo. Stragenly the EU and the US strongly criticize
Turkey for not opening its territorial borders with Armenia while
they do nothing to put an end to the isolation and embargo against
the Turkish Cypriots. The Greek side rejected the UN peace plan. The
US and the EU promised to end the embargo and isolation of the TRNC,
yet the Greek side joined the EU and the Turks are now outside.
JTW and news agencies.
11 April 2005