THE Cyprus government has got its hands full over the next two months with core issues related to the Cyprus problem coming up for review in the European Union, United Nations, Council of Europe and European Court of Human Rights.
The governments of Cyprus and Greece yesterday agreed on a common action plan to deal with the wide range of issues to be dealt with this August and September.
Delegates of the two Foreign Ministries outlined their common approach to the various issues before meeting President Tassos Papadopoulos at the Presidential Palace yesterday.
After the meeting, Foreign Minister George Iacovou told reporters that the government planned to send a specific proposal to Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen and UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan detailing plans to operate the closed port of Famagusta and the town’s fenced off area.
Regarding the thorny issue of direct trade and financial assistance to the Turkish Cypriots tabled for discussion this September, it seems the Dutch EU Presidency is going to leave the issue of direct trade for a later stage, concentrating first on financial regulation and measures economically to support the Turkish Cypriot community, said Iacovou.
He revealed that UN representatives were expected on the island on August 23 to take a closer look at the role and mission of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), while Annan will submit his report on UNFICYP’s mission to the Security Council sometime in September.
The usually sedate month of August will be busy with various contacts with the Dutch presidency and other EU partners, said Iacovou. On September 3, the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) will meet in Brussels, followed by the Council of Ministers, and the General Affairs Council meeting where the regulation for the economic assistance to the Turkish Cypriots will be examined.
The minister noted that many EU countries were waiting to see how these issues developed in Brussels before taking a stand in the UN Security Council.
He added that the government proposals – present and future — on trade with the Turkish Cypriots would make the regulation on direct trade unnecessary.
The head of the Greek delegation, Foreign Ministry General Director George Yenimatas, described yesterday’s talks with the President as “very useful and constructive”.
Meanwhile, the government awaits a key decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that will affect the status of Greek Cypriot refugee cases against Turkey on September 2.
The decision, which is considered critical, deals with the status of a ‘compensation commission’ set up by the Turkish Cypriot administration that aims to address refugee property claims.
