The Cyprus Government expresses
its satisfaction with the approval, by the Plenary of the European
Parliament, of the Progress Report on Turkey, as well as the adoption of the
amendment to the report tabled by Cypriot European Parliament members, which
includes a paragraph condemning Turkish violations and attacks on
peacekeepers in the Pyla area.
We attach particular importance
to the reference, by the European Parliament, in paragraph 33, which calls
for more active involvement of the EU in efforts to break the impass. This is
an approach which constitutes a basic and core element of the initiative
undertaken by the President of the Republic and which can play a decisive
role in the efforts to restart negotiations.
It is noted that the report
reaffirms the European Parliament’s support to the efforts for finding a
solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed framework for a
bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in the
relevant UN Security Council resolutions. It calls for the resumption
of negotiations from the point they left off in Crans Montana and advises
against actions and provocations that lead to the opposite result, expressing
regret over Turkey’s promotion of a two-state solution. Furthermore, it
condemns actions that promote the separatist regime and calls for the
withdrawal of Turkish troops and for the respect for UN Security Council
resolutions. It also denounces Turkey’s continued violations of UN Security
Council Resolutions 550 and 789, urging Turkey to reverse its illegal and
unilateral actions in Varosha.
It further calls for respect of
the buffer zone’s status and of the mission of the UN Peacekeeping Force in
Cyprus, while it notes that similar attacks constitute a crime under
international law and calls on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to reverse
similar unilateral actions and refrain form actions and provocations that
hinder the resumption of negotiations.
The resolution further
underlines the need for cooperation in establishing the fate of missing
persons, protecting cultural heritage and safeguarding the educational rights
of the enclaved.
The President of the Republic,
Mr Nikos Christodoulides, calls on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership
to respond positively to the call by the European Parliament for breaking the
deadlock and for the resumption of talks for the solution of the Cyprus
problem.
Turkey’s european course cannot
be limited to verbal declarations. If, indeed, the will to follow this
course is sincere, Turkey should put into practice what it proclaims, respect
european values and principles and the resolutions and decisions of the EU
and its institutions.
The vision of the European
Union and the principles on which it is based cannot accommodate divided
homelands. The occupation of Cyprus is an open wound in the heart of
Europe, it is a european problem that requires european solutions.
(EF/SCH)
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