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Germany promises to go ahead with direct trade regs

The New Anatolian / Ankara with AA

10 January 2007

New European Union Term President Germany promised on Tuesday to carry out strong efforts for the economic development of Northern Cyprus and resumption of UN talks for a comprehensive settlement on the divided island.

The decision of EU leaders last month on direct trade regulations regarding Northern Cyprus will be discussed by EU ministers on Jan.22, Eckart Cuntz, Germany's ambassador in Ankara, said on Tuesday.

The EU promised direct trade with Northern Cyprus in April 2004, after a UN-sponsored peace plan was approved by the Turkish Cypriots but overwhelmingly rejected by the Greek Cypriots. Despite that, the Greek Cypriot-dominated "Republic of Cyprus" became an EU member with a claim to represent the whole island. The EU promised direct aid and trade for Turkish Cypriots in order to encourage their perspective towards unification and the EU.

The EU leaders' December decision to go ahead with the direct regulations will be adopted by the ministers as an top agenda item on Jan. 22, but the whole process will take longer, with the issue to be evaluated in the working groups.

The Cyprus problem undermines Turkey's EU process, and the Union agreed late last year to partially freeze Turkey's accession talks due to the controversy on Ankara's reservations on opening its ports to the Greek Cypriot administration. Ankara says it will not open its ports before the EU keeps its promises and starts direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots.

German Ambassador Cuntz, whose country holds the new rotating presidency of the EU, promised to carry out strong efforts in order to achieve the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots and revive the UN process for a settlement on Cyprus during their presidency. Cuntz held a press conference yesterday together with Jose Manuel de Carvelho Lameiras, ambassador of Portugal, the next EU president, and Marko Polajzer, the charge d'affaires of Slovenia.

Cuntz underscored that Turkey was an important candidate country particularly in the EU's relations with regions such as Central Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, as well as issues like energy security.

Asked about the removal today of the bridge by the Turkish Cypriot side for a new opening at Ledra St., Cuntz said, "Both Germany and the EU welcome every step that aims at uniting both parties of the island."

Asked about their expectations from Turkey in the EU process, Cuntz said, "The intentions and plans of the Turkish government on the process are positive. We're pleased by the reforms and statements of the Turkish government."

Indicating that the Turkish government was aware of its deficiencies, he said the EU process should continue not only with the support of the government, but also with the support of the people.

"There are things which Turkey should do on freedom of expression and women's rights," he added.