EU draft sets deadline for Turkish withdrawal from North Cyprus

The Committee of Regions (CoR), an EU advisory body representing the bloc’s regional and local governments, is scheduled to vote on a draft report on “Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges, 2009-2010,” which is focused on candidate countries, on March 2.

The draft “urges the Turkish government to actively support the ongoing negotiations and to contribute in a practical way to full settlement of the Cyprus question, on the basis of a bizonal and bicommunal federation with a single international legal personality and citizenship, in accordance with the relevant decisions of the UN Security Council and the principles underpinning the EU, and invites it to facilitate the creation of a climate that is conducive to negotiations, withdrawing the Turkish forces illegally occupying Cyprus, an EU member state, by the end of 2010, resolving the issue of the settlers and enabling the return of the sealed-off part of Famagusta [Gazimağusa in Turkish] to its legal inhabitants.”

Turkey sent its troops to Cyprus in 1974 following attacks on Turkish Cypriots by Greek Cypriot groups favoring unification with Greece and eventually a Greek-inspired coup on the island.

Cyprus joined the EU as a divided island just after Greek Cypriots in the south rejected a UN reunification plan that the Turkish Cypriots in the north overwhelmingly supported in twin referendums in 2004. Turkey has called on the EU to fulfill its commitment to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots as a condition for opening its ports and airports to traffic from Greek Cyprus.

by Zaman

20.02.2010

By:Peter Peters on Oca 3, 2010

My friends you are Greeks That's what the historians say and you are Turks as per what history says whether Cyprus is a Greek island is no doubt if you really study your history but that's not the problem the problem is Turkey that does not let go free the last island of the ottoman empire ,think a

By:skcyprus@yahoo.com on Şub 27, 2010

why cant both sides demilitarize as a sign of good faith,and look at this solution for cyprus as a cypriot problem not involving greece or turkey who have there interests on this island .we are not greeks or turks ,we are cypriots.

By:Richard Angelis on Şub 24, 2010

This is the reality and the future, just look at what the military tried to do in Turkey and what is happening to them now. They have lost face completely because of the allegations of attempting to kill two of their own aircrew to provoke a war with Greece and murder god knows how many innocent ci

By:Peter Peters on Şub 23, 2010

"Turkey sent its troops to Cyprus in 1974" Thats not Tuue Turkey INVADED CYPRUS IN 1974 It was an invasion please do not forgetPP

By:E.E on Şub 21, 2010

Why is it so hard for Greek Cypriots to move one step forward by removing the isolation of Turkish Cypriots to be lifted? This can only start wheels rolling. Why should Turkey trust Greeks or EU when they never honored there promises from 2004 referendum of Annan plan. Turkey will open its ports to

By:robert gatt on Şub 20, 2010

if turkey ignores the eu draft and refuses to withdraw their troops from cyprus by the end of the year, does this mean that un and the eu have a plan of action to remove them forcebly, i think not, it's a bit late for sanctions now, i'm afraid the forbidden city will remain such for many years to co

EU draft sets deadline for Turkish withdrawal from North Cyprus

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