A LAST attempt by the Luxembourg presidency to reach agreement between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the EU’s efforts for economic support to the north fell through in Brussels yesterday.
Differences between the two sides on two EU regulations for the Turkish Cypriots and the Cyprus government’s proposals on the opening of the Famagusta port for trade with the return of Varosha, were too big to bridge. Neither could they agree on a moratorium on the illegal development boom going on in the north.
As one source said, both sides insisted on their positions: the Turkish Cypriots aiming for recognition of the regime in the north and the Cyprus government refusing to accept anything that may in any way be seen as recognition.
This outcome came as no surprise, but both Commission and foreign diplomats told the Cyprus Mail that at least it got the two sides to the same table and negotiations did take place.
Sources said there were no documents presented at last week’s two meetings nor the one held yesterday, but views were discussed on very concrete issues. They were:
l The regulation providing for aid worth 259 million euros for the Turkish Cypriots, which, according to sources, was not discussed as agreement has been reached by member states.
l A second regulation for direct trade, which the Turkish Cypriots see as their opportunity to open the ports and airports in the north, leading to de fact recognition.
l The Cyprus government’s proposal for the opening of the Famagusta port only for trade and without any involvement of Turkish Cypriot authorities, in response to the Turkish Cypriots demand for trade.
l The opening of ghost-town of Varosha.
l The government’s demand for a moratorium on construction in the north.
Another issue raised at the meetings was the lifting on Turkey’s embargo on Cyprus-flagged ships. Sources said that, even thought this is not up to the Turkish Cypriots but Ankara, an agreement on trade without Cypriot ships being able to dock in Turkish ports cannot be envisaged.
The Commission agrees with Nicosia that it is Turkey’s obligation to accept ships under the Cypriot flag and often takes up the issue with Ankara.
Sources also said that the Turkish Cypriots may have appeared to be making constructive proposals or willing to discuss issues at hand, but when it came down to
discussing details they are not forthcoming.
They refused point blank the the moratorium on building, because the sale of property in the north is a good source of income. They also reject the idea of imposing a moratorium on the sale of property to foreigners, which was also raised at the meetings.
Even though the Luxembourg initiative was not officially proclaimed “dead”, there is no alternative as in two weeks it is handing over the presidency to the British. Nicosia does not want this issue to be handled by the British, but neither does London appear keen on taking it up.
Maybe the political climate today was not favourable, an EU source told the Mail, while one another source said the crisis within the EU and especially the discussion on Turkey’s accession talks seemed to have taken its toll as at some points during the discussion it appeared as if the two sides were close to an agreement.
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