Council of Europe invites Turkish Cypriots

THE PARLIAMENTARY Assembly of the Council of Europe has taken steps to stem the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots by inviting representatives from the community to sit in its Chamber as observers.

The decision follows a resolution adopted by the Assembly earlier this year, proposing the end of the international isolation of Turkish Cypriots following their clear support for a UN peace plan to reunite the island in April.

Peter Schieder, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said two elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community would be able to speak in the Chamber and take part in discussions, but could not vote. “At each sitting, only one can be given the floor,” he said. “If authorised by the President, the person will appear on the list of speakers with the indication: Cyprus.”

He stressed that the decision did not amount to the recognition of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognised only by Turkey.

“We did not recognise a Parliament,” he added. “The recognition of states is not the responsibility of the Assembly.”

But Christos Pourgourides, DISY MP and Assembly representative for Cyprus said: “I can’t lie and say the decision pleases me.

“There is a danger that what happened today might be mirrored in other councils like the European Council.”

He said the Turkish Cypriot representatives would not come under the umbrella of the Republic of Cyprus, adding that the names of the Turkish Cypriot representatives would be submitted to the PACE President by Turkish Cypriot political parties.

Turkish Cypriot prime minister Mehmet Ali Talat said the decision by PACE was the result of the positive response of the Turkish Cypriot community to the peace plan drawn up by UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan.

He said the move showed President Tassos Papadopoulos could no longer “isolate the Turkish Cypriots with his decisions”.

“So far you’ve succeeded. But from now on you won’t be able to because the Turkish Cypriots are determined to assimilate themselves with the world.”

Cyprus is currently represented in the Parliamentary Assembly by three representatives, led by MP Doros Christodoulides.

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