Direct Trade Regulation Debate Postponed

The European Parliament has postponed a debate and decision on draft legislation that would allow the Turkish-Cypriot community to trade directly with the EU.

The issue will be re-examined in autumn pending a legal opinion on the regulation, which is fiercely opposed by the government, according to an article in EuropeanVoice.com.

Cyprus wants the proposed EU regulation for direct trade with the Turkish-Cypriot community to be frozen or withdrawn, said President Demetris Christofias in comments on the issue earlier.

Christofias met with EU President Jose Manuel Barroso and has sent letters to Barroso on several issues, including direct trade, placing the occupied city of Famagusta under UN administration, and the return of its refugee inhabitants and opening of Famagusta port.

"This is our proposal in answer to the insistence of Turkey and some members of the European Parliament on the Regulation," he said.

Cyprus blocked the regulation in 2004 on the basis that it would amount to recognition of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). In a previous legal opinion, the European Commission said that the proposal would not imply recognition of the unilaterally-declared TRNC.