Pre-donor conference for Cyprus

16.4.2004

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1280/04
by Philip Claeys (NI)
to the Commission

A pre-donor conference for Cyprus took place in Brussels on 15 April. The European Union estimates that over a five-year period €2 billion will be required to implement the UN plan for the reunification of the island. These funds have to come from the international community. Both the European Union and the United States have already pledged to contribute.

 

Is it now clear whether there will be a financial commitment from Turkey, which can, after all, be held primarily responsible for the division of Cyprus?

 

Commissioner Verheugen said that if Greek Cypriots voted No in the referendum he would ensure that the Turkish Cypriots were not punished and that he would bring forward proposals to improve their economic situation. Is there agreement within the Commission on this point or was this just the Commissioner's personal opinion?

 

Would the granting of aid to the northern part of Cyprus not amount to de facto legitimisation by the European Union of the military occupation by Turkey?