Turkey's EU course should not be linked to Cyprus settlement

Members of the European Parliament said on Friday that Turkey's EU accession course should not be linked to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

They pointed out that if a Cyprus settlement was not found soon, the Greek Cypriots were in danger of becoming a minority due to the continuing inflow of Turkish settlers to the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic.

Speaking at a press conference following the end of a two-day meeting of the Bureau of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament in Nicosia, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament Joseph Daul referred to the importance of helping all EU neighbours in the Mediterranean achieve growth, adding that the EU's aim was not to impose itself on them but to facilitate the harmonious functioning of the region.

He added that Europe should have political positions.

President of the Democratic Rally (DISY) Nicos Anastasiades expressed his satisfaction regarding the presence of the Bureau in Cyprus, as well as his gratitude for the support the EPP is giving to the people of Cyprus in their struggle for the reunification of the island and to efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

Chair of the High Level Contact Group in the European Parliament for relations with the Turkish Cypriot community Francoise Grossetete said the Cyprus problem was a European question and referred to the action of the Contact Group, which will be visiting Cyprus again in May.

She added that the Contact Group was gathering information in order to be more effective, with the ultimate aim being the reunification of Cyprus.Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament Jacek Saryusz-Wolski said Cyprus was a key member state of the EU for lasting peace in the Middle East, adding that the EU must rely on Cyprus in order to achieve this purpose.

He noted that a stronger reunited Cyprus could contribute towards this direction.Rapporteur of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee on missing persons in Cyprus Ewa Klamt said efforts must be made to solve the problem of missing persons, which could contribute towards a Cyprus settlement.

She spoke about her draft report, in which she calls on those with evidence to pass it on in order to speed up efforts to solve the problem of missing persons, and furthermore asks for increased funding.Head of the Cypriot delegation of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament Panayiotis Demetriou said Europe was now focusing on Cyprus, adding that the EPP could assist in efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement.

Replying to questions, Daul said the EU should go further than investment and develop a political stance in order to have a bigger presence in the wider region, adding that efforts would be made for proposals on the Mediterranean Policy and by June there should be results.

To another question, Grossetete said it was difficult to link Turkey's EU accession course to the Cyprus problem, adding that if a settlement is not found soon, the Greek Cypriots may be in danger of becoming a minority, due to the continuing inflow of Turkish settlers to the areas of Cyprus under Turkish occupation.

She said Turkey remained an invader and refused to recognise an EU member state, namely the Republic of Cyprus, adding that the Contact Group was trying to bring the two communities closer, which would facilitate reunification.Grossetete added that linking the two issues could in fact slow down efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement.

To questions regarding illegal immigration, Daul said Cyprus could not handle the problem on its own. He said European solidarity should apply because it was not only Cyprus facing this problem.Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.