Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-12-02

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] NATIONAL COUNCIL - COMMISSION`S RECOMMENDATIONS ON TURKEY

[01] NATIONAL COUNCIL - COMMISSION`S RECOMMENDATIONS ON TURKEY

Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardes told the press after the three hour meeting of the National Council, that the members of the Council, presided by President of the Republic of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos, expressed their views and suggestions and ``unanimously expressed the view that the Commissions recommendations are not satisfactory``.

The National Council members agreed that it is imperative to make every effort so that the final conclusions (of the forthcoming European Council) include a framework that will secure the effective compliance of Turkey with its European obligations, he said.

The Spokesman added that during the meeting, President Papadopoulos analysed the developments so far in the EU Turkish accession negotiations and presented his views and estimations.

On Wednesday, the European Commission said it was recommending a partial suspension of Turkey`s EU membership talks for refusing to open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft, a recommendation that did not satisfy Nicosia.

EU member-state Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

Turkey, a country aspiring to join the EU, refuses to implement the EU Turkey Customs Union Protocol by opening its ports and airports to Cyprus.

The National Council is composed of two members of all parliamentary parties, but main opposition party Democratic Rally (DISY) suspended its participation in the Council, due to functional weaknesses and cover-up of dysfunctions of the Council.

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