Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman’s undersecretary, Mehmet Dana, called on newly appointed European Commission envoy for the Cyprus problem Raffaele Fitto to help implement the EU’s direct trade regulation with the Turkish Cypriot community.
Dana said the measure would represent significant EU support for efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue.
Call for direct trade action
Dana said the European Council’s 2004 decision had stressed its commitment to ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriots and called on the European Commission to prepare comprehensive proposals.
He said no significant progress had been made, including on implementation of the direct trade regulation, and urged Fitto to ensure necessary steps are taken without further delay.
Settlement efforts and EU role
Dana said the Turkish Cypriot community’s commitment to a solution remained strong and that the Turkish Cypriot side fully supported United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ efforts.
However, he said the EU could not be expected to be neutral in a possible negotiation process because the Greek Cypriot side is an EU member and holds veto power. He cited what he described as unilateral decisions and biased statements by EU institutions as evidence.
Dana said Erhurman, who took office in October last year, had emphasised the need to build trust with both the Greek Cypriot side and the European Union.
Fitto’s previous comments
Fitto told the European Parliament in November that the change in Turkish Cypriot leadership could open a new opportunity for progress.
He said the opportunity should not close without progress and expressed hope that the following months would bring more concrete discussions on resuming the formal settlement process. Fitto said the EU expected all parties to play a constructive role and was ready to use available means to provide support.
He added that the European Commission was continuing work to create conditions for future reunification and to promote engagement, cooperation and inclusion between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
