Turkish Cypriot residents of Joan Ryan MP’s Enfield constituency gathered at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to meet with Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon concerning the outcome of his recent visit to Athens and Ankara. Briefing the diaspora Turkish Cypriots, Hoon gave an explanation of what he discussed with Greek and Turkish foreign ministers offering hope for a solution to the current isolation of Northern Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots also had an opportunity to voice their concerns with regards to direct flights, political equality and the human right of the Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus.
Minister Hoon, who is flying to New York next week to meet with Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and several of his ministers, confirmed that the United Kingdom extends full support to Turkey’s EU aspirations. Minister Hoon said he wants to see Turkey as a full member of the European Union (EU), “We believe Turkey and the EU will both benefit,” he said. The minister also offered a ray of hope for a Cyprus political settlement, stating that the UK as guarantor power believes a solution is both desirable and obtainable and that the UK would work with Greek and Turkish Cypriots to find a sustainable solution agreed on by both sides.
Toplum Postasi sources that are close to the British government who preferred to remain anonymous informed Toplum Postasi that there were certain scenarios that are under discussion aimed at easing the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. One of these scenarios is that Maras (Varosha in Greek) would soon reopen and the port of Famagusta would be reopen to traffic under shared Greek and Turkish Cypriot control. In exchange, Turkey will open some of her ports to Greek Cypriot ships and aircraft.
From toplumpostasi.net 21/09/2006 |
