H.E. Dr. Michalis Stavrinos:

In respect of the discussion of the issue with the Commissioner for EU enlargement the position is that although as a matter of principle, the EU is against any foreign occupation, it thinks that having a channel of communication and a process with Ankara might lead to the solution of the problem in a way that fits European rules and principles. That was also the reason Cyprus as a member of the EU accepted the beginning of accession negotiations. Despite all these good efforts from the European side, the Turkish side did not fulfil its part, including the full implementation of the Ankara protocol.

The protocol and customs union with all member states applied to all member states except Cyprus. In every EU text on Turkish accession, all of those issues are raised and put to the Government of Turkey. We expect that very soon the effort, which was recently undertaken, will give them the opportunity to prove they respect those positions and principles.

I move to the referenda that were provided for in the Annan plan. They were undertaken by the two communities, theoretically under the auspices of the UN. I use that word because there was no concrete supervision and control of the lease of the borders. Some violations occurred therefore because settlers in the occupied part took part in the referendum which they should not have done. There is no deadline because the wish of both sides and the United Nations was to avoid any pressure. Intervention was also excluded for that reason. Both sides wish to finish this exercise as soon as possible in so far as it guarantees a positive and lasting outcome.

The resolution was adopted by 13 votes in favour. There was one abstention and one against. It is a mandatory resolution. As with every resolution of the UN and its Security Council, all member states are obliged through the charter of the UN to implement it. Unfortunately, and despite reference to the resolution by later resolutions, Turkey continues to deny its implementation. We hope that, with the new prospects for the solution of the Cyprus problem, it will implement the resolution as a confidence-building measure. In exchange, our side offers to Turkey and Turkish Cypriots very positive counter gestures. These include that if the city is opened to the legitimate previous citizens, the port of Famagusta will open under UN or EU auspices for trade from the occupied part of Cyprus. The reconstruction of the city will allow both sides to come closer. After 40 years, it needs to be rebuilt from scratch. If Turkey fully applies the Ankara protocol, Cyprus intends to defreeze certain chapters of Turkey's accession to the EU. That is why I described those measures together with the effort as a win-win situation in the case that they are implemented.