Cyprus' leaders to seek solution

European Parliament President Josep Borell today urged the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to renew efforts toward ending the island’s 31-year division.

He reiterated support for a draft settlement approved by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan – which Greek Cypriots rejected and Turkish Cypriots approved in separate referendums last year.

“Asyou know the European Parliament supported strongly the Annan plan. We were disappointed by the fact the Greek Cypriot community did not approve it,” Borell said after meeting Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded in the wake of a failed coup by supporters of union with Greece.

Although Cyprus joined the EU last year, the bloc’s privileges and responsibilities apply only to the internationally-recognised Greek Cypriot south.

Talat thanked Borell for a decision last month to create a contact group aimed at forging stronger links between the Turkish Cypriots and the European Parliament.

Talat said it was essential for the voice of Turkish Cypriots to be heard in the parliament. “As Turkish Cypriots we did everything necessary for a solution,” he said.

Borell’s four-day visit coincided with the start of Turkey’s membership talks with the EU, after EU foreign ministers overcame objections from Austria.

But Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iakovou today accused Turkey of treating the negotiations like an “Anatolian bazaar".

“I said if (Turkey and other EU members) did not accept things as they were in the morning I would withdraw from this Anatolian bazaar and leave,” Iakovou said.

“It was a disgrace for 25 ministers and a prime minister – of Croatia – to sit in the corridors and wait for (Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah) Gul to put on his performance for Turkey’s news media.”

Iacovou was referring late clarifications sought by Ankara over the negotiating framework for EU-Turkey talks – concerning Cyprus’ potential candidacy to join NATO.

Cyprus has never publicly expressed any interest in joining the military alliance.