The fact that there are ‘two halves’ of Cyprus is due to Turkey’s illegal actions against Cyprus Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said here on Thursday, clarifying once and for all that the Republic will not accept any permanent exceptions to the acquis communautaire as part of an eventual solution of the Cyprus problem Stephanou, who was commenting on Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu’s recent statements that an eventual solution of the Cyprus problem would be considered as primary EU legislation and would contain permanent exceptions said that “the Republic of Cyprus became an EU member on the basis of Protocol 10, which in turn constitutes the basis on which various issues arising from the solution of the Cyprus problem will be dealt with”. It is a known fact, he noted, “that we do not accept permanent exceptions to accompany the solution of the Cyprus problem”, adding that “any exceptions will not be permanent and will be limited in number and duration”.
Referring to other statements made by Eroglu and Turkish President Abdullah Gul about another ‘half of Cyprus’ Stephanou noted that Protocol 10 gives all the answers, since it refers to the accession of the entire Cyprus in the EU. What Gul calls the ‘half of Cyprus’, he said, is the result of Turkey’s illegal actions against the Republic of Cyprus. It is the result, he stressed, of an illegal invasion and occupation, of the presence of thousands of Turkish troops and the violation of human rights and basic freedoms of the entire people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as well as of the violation of international law in Cyprus on behalf of Turkey.
Referring to statements made by Eroglou as regards the Cyprus EU Presidency at the 2nd half of 2012, Stephanou said that Cyprus’ EU Presidency poses no problem to the Union. On the contrary, he noted, it is Turkey who insistently tries to create problems by refusing to implement its Cyprus related EU obligations and by threatening to freeze relations with the EU during Cyprus’ presidency. He further called on Turkey to put an end to this policy, adding that all it achieves is to expose itself to the international community and create problems for Turkey alone.
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led negotiations have been underway between President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in an effort to reunite the island under a federal roof. Turkey, a candidate EU member, has recently threatened that it will freeze relations with the EU when Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, takes over the rotating Presidency of the EU Council at the 2nd half of 2012.