EU efforts to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot Community
29.8.2007
ORAL QUESTION WITH DEBATE O-0055/07
pursuant to Rule 108 of the Rules of Procedure
by Karin Resetarits, on behalf of the ALDE Group
to the Commission
Following the negative outcome of the referenda in the Republic of Cyprus on 24 April 2004, and the resulting failure to secure the accession to the European Union of a united Cyprus, the Council expressed on 26 April 2004 its determination to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community.
While the Green Line and Financial Assistance regulations have been adopted, there has been no progress as regards the proposed Direct Trade regulation. The credibility of the European Union in living up to its own commitments is being questioned and Turkish Cypriots who are in favour of a comprehensive settlement remain isolated and under political pressure from nationalistic hard-liners.
- What initiatives does the Commission intend to undertake in order to facilitate the reaching of an agreement on the Direct Trade regulation? What kind of interim measures could be put in place to facilitate trade and commercial links with the Turkish Cypriot Community in case the current deadlock in the Council continues?
- What additional measures will the Commission undertake to fulfil the commitments made by the European Union in April 2004, notably as regards the participation of Turkish Cypriot universities in the Bologna process and access to EU student exchange programmes for Turkish Cypriot students?
- How does the Commission evaluate the effectiveness of the EU measures undertaken to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot Community, in particular as regards the implementation of the Green Line regulation?
Tabled: 29.08.2007
Forwarded: 31.08.2007
Deadline for reply: 07.09.2007