The government of Cyprus and the Parliament are taking measures to facilitate the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the elections for the European Parliament in May, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides has said.

Speaking in an event hosted by the European Parliament office in Cyprus for the EP elections, Kasoulides clarified that the Turkish Cypriots cannot be granted observer status in the European Parliament.

Kasoulides called on the Turkish Cypriots to participate in the elections and even to run for a seat in the European Parliament through a single electoral list.

“They have this opportunity and the Cypriot government will take all necessary measures and will request the Parliament to approve legislative measures that would facilitate and render their participation as accessible as possible,” the Minister said.

He went on to say that given the number of Turkish Cypriot who acquired a Republic of Cyprus identity “they could elect up to two Turkish Cypriot MEPs through a single electoral list, pursuant to the EU acquis which does not discriminate for the EP elections.”

Kasoulides pointed out that Turkish Cypriots should forget the possibility to obtain observer status in the European Parliament.

“Who would elect the observers, who would organize their elections, or represent an illegal parliament not recognized by the European Union, as is the case of the breakaway entity, the `state` they claim to have which is completely illegal according the EU institutions?” he wondered.

Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, joined the EU on May 1 2004 with all its territory. The Turkish Cypriots unilaterally declared independence