(15/03/07) EP zou Turkse Cyprioten in zijn rangen moeten krijgen

• 2007-03-15
• Europa in de wereld

De Turks-Cypriotische gemeenschap moet erkend worden als deel uitmakend van de EU. Zoals ze ook al vertegenwoordigd is in de Raad van Europa, zouden ze dat ook moeten zijn in het EP. Om de dialoog me haar te bevorderen zou het Turks een officiële taal in de EU moeten worden. Er moet een einde komen aan de isolatie van het noordelijk deel van het eiland op het vlak van sport, handel en onderwijs.

Er lijkt een dooi te komen tussen de twee gemeenschappen op het eiland en dit biedt perspectieven voor de toekomst. De Griekse gemeenschap moet de onrechtvaardige isolatie beëindigen en het Turkse deel moet ervoor zorgen dat zijn politiemacht niet langer onder het commando van het Turkse leger valt. Ankara moet bovendien zijn havens openen voor producten van het Griekse deel van Cyprus.

Contact group Northern Cyprus
The European Parliament should receive Turkish Cypriot representatives

The report of the High Level Contact Group for relations with the Turkish Cypriot community in the northern part of the island has been presented and discussed in the Conference of Presidents today. Commenting on the report, Green MEP Cem Özdemir today said:
"As of today, the report of the High Level Contact Group has an official status. Now we have to make sure that the proposals are implemented. Three important steps must be taken in order to close the democracy gap: First, the Turkish Cypriot community must be acknowledged as part of the EU and, just as they are already represented in the Council of Europe, they should also be represented in the European Parliament. Second, the Turkish language has to be recognized as an official EU language in order to enable dialogue with the Turkish Cypriots. Third, the isolation of the north in the areas of trade, education and sports must finally end."

"We welcome the recent developments in Cyprus. After the Turkish Cypriot side opened the border crossing in Nicosia in January, the Greek Cypriots have now indicated their intention for cooperation and settlement by removing the wall on their side. This good will must continue on both sides. The Greek Cypriots have to give up their unjustified blockade towards the north in terms of trade, education and sports. The absurd situation on the Turkish Cypriot side, where the police are not under the control of the elected government, but are instead under the command of the Turkish military, has to also be brought to an end. As a next step, Ankara could open its harbours and ports for products from the Greek part of the island. This would reconfirm the Turkish Cypriots' credibility as a negotiating partner."

"We call upon the European Union and in particular the German EU Presidency to support the efforts for a comprehensive settlement on both sides and to end the isolation of the north as soon as possible."