Letter to the EU Presidency, Portugal
H.E. Mr. Alvaro Mendonça E Moura,
EU Presidency,
Permanent Representative of Portugal to the EU
Brussels
3rd September 2007
Your Excellency,
Cyprus EU Association is a Turkish Cypriot non-profit organisation functioning as a think-tank, mainly concentrated on lobbying for an early reunification of Cyprus.
Taking into consideration the decision of the Council of the European Union dated 26th April 2004, we wish to emphasize that the Cyprus Problem has been Europeanised with the accession of Cyprus. Thus, it is our wish to see increased efforts from the European dynamic for the settlement of the conflict in Cyprus.
We wish to bring to your attention that, an arrangement to accommodate free movement of goods and services between the two areas of Cyprus is urgently needed to start the economic interdependence between the two communities, facilitating a political breakthrough.
Goods entering north Cyprus to cross the Green Line and vice versa could be named as a “de-facto customs union” or a “free trade” arrangement. It goes without saying that, for this kind of arrangement, all the goods entry points in northern part of Cyprus should be under EU control and/or supervision. Besides, Turkish Cypriot authorities should be convinced to prioritise the harmonisation of trade related issues with acquis communautaire. A part of the 259 million Euros of the Financial Aid Regulation being already allocated for this purpose is creating an opportunity to this end. The Green Line Regulation can be extended to include imported goods, with reciprocity from the southern part of Cyprus.
Free Trade is to the benefit of all the parties involved.
With a free trade arrangement, some of the trade related economic isolations of the Turkish Cypriots will start easing down, bringing the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the European Union. The benefits to the Turkish Cypriot economy of the Commission’s “direct trade proposal” could only be minimal. On the other hand, with free trade, Turkish Cypriots will enjoy the opportunity to take part in the economic activities expected to be realised between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus. Free trade will also trigger the harmonisation process of northern part of Cyprus with the EU. The economy of northern part of Cyprus will inevitably develop within the international and EU laws, contrary to what is happening now.
As for the benefits of the Greek Cypriots, the “direct trade proposal” which has triggered the “recognition of TRNC” concerns will be done away with. With the free trade approach, the economic isolation of Turkish Cypriots will ease down, facilitating Turkey to feel easier in opening up her ports to the Republic of Cyprus flag vessels, escaping the opposing Turkish public pressure. The Greek Cypriot shipping industry will benefit from the opening of the ports, thus consumers will gain from the new economic environment.
Your Excellency,
Our free trade proposal envisions a united single economy on the island, which would lead to economic interdependence and start the economic integration process. This would improve relations between the two communities and with the EU. Furthermore, free trade would facilitate the political solution of the Cyprus Problem.
We do hope to gain your interest and support for our free trade proposal, firstly as a member state as well as the Presidency of the EU.
We shall be at your disposal for any further details with regards to our proposal.
Sincerely yours,
Ali Erel - President