Turk Cypriot leader says EU countries offer assistance
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The European Union member states have shown great interest in the settlement of the Cyprus Problem, Cyprus Observer, Turkish Cypriot weekly, quoted Friday a statement issued by a Turkish Cypriot leader's office.
The EU member countries’ Foreign Affairs and Ministers for Europe want an immediate settlement of the Cyprus Problem, the statement, issued by the office after Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat's meetings with top EU officials in Brussels, said.
“They have conveyed the message that they are ready to provide any kind of assistance,” it added.
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met on Monday French Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet and Slovakia's Foreign Minister Jan Kubis in Brussels where he came upon an invitation by the European Union (EU) Term President Slovenia's Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel.
Talat also met Rupel and the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana on Tuesday.
“As it is known, the negotiations regarding the settlement of the Cyprus problem are being maintained under the supervision of the United Nations. The Turkish Cypriot side is not for taking this process under the umbrella of the EU since the Greek Cypriot side spends efforts to exploit their unjust EU membership against the Turkish Cypriot side. Therefore, the contribution of the EU to the negotiation process has to be limited to a technical level," the statement said.
In order to provide its political contributions to the process, the EU has to prioritise the lifting of the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots and, in this context, the implementation of the Financial Aid Regulation and the adoption of the Direct Trade Regulation, the statement also said.
"While enthusiasm is shown to solve the Cyprus problem, all actions should be avoided that might deteriorate a solution such as those by France, who will take over the term presidency soon, who organised a joint military exercise with the Greek Cypriot side violating the international agreements. It should not be forgotten that establishing such relations with the Greek Cypriot side not only encourages them to maintain the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots but also averts their contribution to the settlement process," it added.