Rally for Human Rights and for a Free United Cyprus - Cyprus Week 2010

CYPRUS WEEK - Rally for Human Rights and for a Free United Cyprus




"UK CYPRIOTS CALL ON CAMERON TO ACT FOR JUSTICE AND UNITY IN CYPRUS"

National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom
Britannia Road, London, N12 9RU.
Tel: 020 8445 9999 Fax: 020 8445 9977
http://www.cypriotfederation.org.uk

19th July 2010 - Press Release

British Cypriots joined politicians from across Britain’s political spectrum yesterday to condemn Turkey’s intransigence over efforts to end its continuing illegal military occupation of the northern part of Cyprus.

A petition was delivered to Prime Minister David Cameron, calling for the UK to use its influence with the Turkish Government in order to press Turkey to withdraw its occupying troops and to play an active and positive role in current efforts to reunite Cyprus for the benefit of all Cypriots.

A letter to the Turkish Ambassador to the UK was also delivered following a demonstration outside the Turkish Embassy in London. Later, a march through the heart of London culminated in a mass rally in Trafalgar Square. The annual July London “Rally for Cyprus” was organised by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, to mark the twin anniversaries of the fascist coup by the military junta then ruling Greece on 15h July 1974, and the illegal invasion of Cyprus by the Turkish army which followed 5 days later, on 20th July 1974.

Twelve days before the rally, on 6th July 2010 , an event took place in the Houses of Parliament to offer support to relatives of people still missing since Turkey invaded the island in the summer of 1974 and to lobby politicians for their support. 

The rally in Trafalgar Square was addressed by several British politicians from the main parties. Mr Peter Droussiotis, President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, and The Minister of Communications and Works of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, also addressed the event.

In his opening address, Mr. Droussiotis said:

“We expect the new British Prime Minister David Cameron whom we petitioned at 10 Downing Street today and the new Foreign Secretary William Hague to tell Turkey that it must change its tune on Cyprus, that it must, at long last, change course, if it wants to make further progress in Europe.

“Turkey’s unacceptable behaviour in Cyprus must not be rewarded; it must be punished if it is not corrected. The new British government has a unique opportunity to help bring this about – to make this vital and principled change to its approach to Turkey.”

Tribute was then paid to former MPs in attendance, still showing their support for Cyprus; Tom Cox, Eddie O’Hara, Andrew Dismore and Ian Twinn. Respects were also paid to Rudi Vis, the former MP for Finchley and Golders Green and a long-standing friend of Cyprus and the UK Cypriot community, who died earlier this year. Other parliamentary supporters of the Cyprus cause in attendance included Transport Minister Theresa Villiers MP, Mike Freer MP, Matthew Offord MP, Alan Meale MP and Jim Sheridan MP.

The Cyprus High Commissioner HE Alexandros Zenon and his Deputy Mr Dimitris Hatziargyrou represented the Cyprus High Commission at the event while the Mayors of the occupied towns of Kyrenia and Morphou, Mrs Maria Ioannou and Mr Charalambos Pittas, respectively, represented Cypriot towns and villages under Turkey’s military occupation.

Jim Sheridan MP, a Scottish MP, then delivered the wishes of the people of Scotland for a solution to the Cyprus problem before stating that the Coalition Government had been elected on a pledge of delivering fairness and that: “There is no greater cause for fairness than in Cyprus” and calling upon the UK Government to ensure that Turkey cannot gain EU member status while occupying another EU state.

The Minister of Communications and Works of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, who was the main speaker at the event, then addressed the audience, firstly by recognising the good turnout for the rally, saying that “Your participation in this massive demonstration gives a strong message that this injustice … cannot longer be tolerated, a message that must reach all policymakers in the UK.”

The Minister added:

“European values and principles are being trampled upon by Turkey. The values of democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, which are the very foundations of the United Kingdom, are being made a mockery by Turkey’s illegal actions in Cyprus.

“Our message is not one of despair, it is one of hope, of resolve and of re-dedication to the cause of peace, justice, freedom and unity for Cyprus. We have searched for 36 years for a peaceful solution and we shall continue to do so. We want a common future with our Turkish Cypriots compatriots, in peace, prosperity and security as citizens of the European Union.”

Matthew Offord, the recently elected Member of Parliament for Hendon, spoke of the his and his colleagues’ determination to hold the British Government to account, saying that it had been elected on pledges of fairness and that Cyprus is an example of where fairness must be delivered, adding:

“If Turkey wants to join the EU, it must fulfil their obligations to the people of Cyprus. That means that there is no division of the island. That means the return of property to the people from whom it was taken in the invasion of 1974. And that means that people who are missing must be located and identified, so that their relatives can begin the grieving process. Until that happens, Turkey is not welcome in the EU. Until then, we keep fighting.”

Mike Freer, new MP for Finchley and Golders Green, added his support, saying that he would work with his colleagues in Parliament to maintain a high profile for Cyprus on the Government’s foreign policy agenda.

The last guest speaker was Alan Meale MP, a stalwart supporter of reunification of the island of Cyprus, who expressed his dismay at returning to the rally each year to demand a solution, rather than to celebrate a reunited island. He added:

“Here we stand in Trafalgar Square, in the shadow of the South African Embassy, asking for an end to apartheid in Europe. And until we get that, there is no place for Turkey in the EU. There is no place for them in Europe while they occupy part of Cyprus.

“Struggles sometimes take decades, as you all know. But for those who have lost homes and relatives we must continue to fight until we win a solution and free Cyprus from tyranny. There can be no peace until Turkey removes its troops from the island.”

Mr Droussiotis closed the rally by thanking everyone who had come to show their support and solidarity.

Ends

Photos of the rally will be available in the media resources section at: www.cypriotfederation.co.uk
Videos of the speeches can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7D8574A86F1740BE
Subscribe to our RSS News via our website http://www.cypriotfederation.org.uk 

For more information, please call Tony Sophoclides on 07887 935 335
 



Sunday 18th July 2010


This year's events take place against the backdrop of the 36th  anniversary since the Greek junta coup against the government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish invasion and occupation of 34.7% of the Republic of Cyprus.


These events are also intended to celebrate the Accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU which will hopefully lead to the unification of the island as a truly independent federated state for all the people of Cyprus.


This year is also the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Cyprus in 1960




PROGRAMME: 13 – 20 July 2010




"Raising the flags of the Republic of Cyprus and of the European Union"


Tuesday, 13th July 7.00 PM : Raising the flags of the Republic of Cyprus and of the European Union and an Exhibition of the Archives of Theatro Technis and of the Cypriot Community in Camden, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Unity Theatre Trust. Also poetry and music by the harpist Ricardo Curbello and others.


View full video of this event at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0311A5518A9332CB




"Lobby for Cyprus Seminar - "Law and Ethics of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus"


Wednesday, 14th July, 7.30 pm : The Seminar consisted of three presentations:


1. Costas Frangeskides: “CAN THE CYPRUS ISSUE BE SOLVED THROUGH THE COURTS?” - A lawyer’s perspective on the role of the law in the search for a just settlement.


2. Kyriacos Christodoulou: “THE CYPRUS ISSUE - A REFUGEE PERSPECTIVE”


3. Dr. Klearchos Kyriacides: “THE TURKISH INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS: a case study in unethical behaviour.


See full video of the seminar at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1EBFB3E56E8953BF






"RALLY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOR A FREE UNITED CYPRUS"


Sunday, 18th July, 4.30 PM :  RALLY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOR A FREE UNITED CYPRUS, starting outside the Turkish Embassy at Belgrave Square London SW1 at 3.00pm and marching to hear the main speaker at Trafalgar Square, Erato Kozakou Markoullis.


See full video of this event at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7D8574A86F1740BE








For further information:
info@theatrotechnis.com http://www.theatrotechnis.com
pressenquiries@cypriotfederation.org.uk  http://www.cypriotfederation.org.uk




Readers of this weblog are asked to add their names to the online petition at:


http://www.turkishinvasioncyprus.com/

Law and Ethics of the Turkish Occupation of Cyprus Seminar - Cyprus Week 2010

CYPRUS WEEK - Law and Ethics of the Turkish Occupation of Cyprus



Wednesday 14th July 2010

This year's events take place against the backdrop of the 36th  anniversary since the Greek junta coup against the government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish invasion and occupation of 34.7% of the Republic of Cyprus.

These events are also intended to celebrate the Accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU which will hopefully lead to the unification of the island as a truly independent federated state for all the people of Cyprus.

This year is also the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Cyprus in 1960


PROGRAMME: 13 – 20 July 2010


"Raising the flags of the Republic of Cyprus and of the European Union"

Tuesday, 13th July 7.00 PM : Raising the flags of the Republic of Cyprus and of the European Union and an Exhibition of the Archives of Theatro Technis and of the Cypriot Community in Camden, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Unity Theatre Trust. Also poetry and music by the harpist Ricardo Curbello and others.

View full video of this event at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0311A5518A9332CB


"Lobby for Cyprus Seminar - "Law and Ethics of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus"

Wednesday, 14th July, 7.30 pm : The Seminar consisted of three presentations:

1. Costas Frangeskides: “CAN THE CYPRUS ISSUE BE SOLVED THROUGH THE COURTS?” - A lawyer’s perspective on the role of the law in the search for a just settlement.

2. Kyriacos Christodoulou: “THE CYPRUS ISSUE - A REFUGEE PERSPECTIVE”

3. Dr. Klearchos Kyriacides: “THE TURKISH INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS: a case study in unethical behaviour.

See full video of the seminar at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1EBFB3E56E8953BF



"RALLY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOR A FREE UNITED CYPRUS"

Sunday, 18th July, 4.30 PM :  RALLY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOR A FREE UNITED CYPRUS, starting outside the Turkish Embassy at Belgrave Square London SW1 at 3.00pm and marching to hear the main speaker at Trafalgar Square, Erato Kozakou Markoullis.

See full video of this event at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7D8574A86F1740BE




For further information:
info@theatrotechnis.com http://www.theatrotechnis.com
pressenquiries@cypriotfederation.org.uk  http://www.cypriotfederation.org.uk


Readers of this weblog are asked to add their names to the online petition at:

http://www.turkishinvasioncyprus.com/

Raising the Flag of the Republic of Cyprus and of the EU - Cyprus Week 2010

CYPRUS WEEK - Raising the Flag of the Republic of Cyprus and of the EU



Tuesday 13th July 2010



This year's events take place against the backdrop of the 36th  anniversary since the Greek junta coup against the government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish invasion and occupation of 34.7% of the Republic of Cyprus.

These events are also intended to celebrate the Accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU which will hopefully lead to the unification of the island as a truly independent federated state for all the people of Cyprus.


This year is also the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Cyprus in 1960


PROGRAMME: 13 – 20 July 2010

"Raising the flags of the Republic of Cyprus and of the European Union"

Tuesday, 13th July 7.00 PM : Raising the flags of the Republic of Cyprus and of the European Union and an Exhibition of the Archives of Theatro Technis and of the Cypriot Community in Camden, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Unity Theatre Trust. Also poetry and music by the harpist Ricardo Curbello and others.

View full video of this event at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0311A5518A9332CB


"Lobby for Cyprus Seminar - "Law and Ethics of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus"

Wednesday, 14th July, 7.30 pm : The Seminar consisted of three presentations:

1. Costas Frangeskides: “CAN THE CYPRUS ISSUE BE SOLVED THROUGH THE COURTS?” - A lawyer’s perspective on the role of the law in the search for a just settlement.

2. Kyriacos Christodoulou: “THE CYPRUS ISSUE - A REFUGEE PERSPECTIVE”

3. Dr. Klearchos Kyriacides: “THE TURKISH INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS: a case study in unethical behaviour.

See full video of the seminar at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1EBFB3E56E8953BF



"RALLY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOR A FREE UNITED CYPRUS"

Sunday, 18th July, 4.30 PM :  RALLY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOR A FREE UNITED CYPRUS, starting outside the Turkish Embassy at Belgrave Square London SW1 at 3.00pm and marching to hear the main speaker at Trafalgar Square, Erato Kozakou Markoullis.

See full video of this event at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7D8574A86F1740BE




For further information:
info@theatrotechnis.com http://www.theatrotechnis.com
pressenquiries@cypriotfederation.org.uk  http://www.cypriotfederation.org.uk

Readers of this weblog are asked to add their names to the online petition at:
http://www.turkishinvasioncyprus.com/

Cyprus - 50 Years of Independence Conference - Achievements and Challenges

The Cyprus Centre of the London Metropolitan University

In association with

EPISTEME - The Association of British Cypriot Professionals
Presented:"Cyprus - 50 Years of Independence
- Achievements and Challenges”
at
London Metropolitan University
on Wednesday 30th June 2010

The main aim of this conference was to identify, through expert presentations and discussions, the forward strides achieved by Cyprus since independence and particularly post EU accession. Topics covered included political, economic, cultural and technical issues also tourism, education, identity, Cyprus’ position in the wider European family, and challenges arising through global recession.

PROGRAMME


TIMES  / CONFERENCE THEMES

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9.45 – 10.15    Introduction and Official Opening

Click here to view further information and the video of this session

Professor John Charalambous
Dr Alicia Chrysostomou
London Metropolitan University

Mr Peter DroussiotisPresident, EPISTEME & National Federation of Cypriots in the UK

Address - An Overview of the History of the Republic
H.E. Mr Alexandros Zenon
High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus

Inaugural Presentation – Outlining the Current Standing of the Republic
Mr Stefanos Stefanou
Government Spokesman of the Republic of Cyprus

---

10.15 - 11.15    Session 1 – Birth and Development of The Republic:
Achievements and Challenges

Chair: Prof Robert Holland

Click here to view further information and the video of this session

Presenters and Discussion Panel:
Dr Klearchos A. Kyriakides
Mary Plant
Kyriacos Tsioupras
Peter Droussiotis
Prof John Charalambous and Dr Tozun Issa
Yiannis Efthemiou and Andreas Ekkeshis

11.15- 11.30 Coffee break

---

11.30 – 12.45    Session 2 - Intercommunal Issues
Chair: Dr Alicia Chrysostomou

Click here to view further information and the video of this session

Presenters and Discussion Panel:
Mertkan Hamit
Tabitha Morgan
Mary Southcott
Alkan Chaglar
Dr Ahmet Djavit An
Costas Kleanthous

12.45 – 14.00 Lunch

---

14.00 – 15.15    Session 3 - Political and Economic Aspects
Chair: Peter Droussiotis

Click here to view further information and the video of this session

Presenters and Discussion Panel:
Dr James Ker-Lindsay
Dr Klearchos A. Kyriakides
Andreas Rialas
Nicholas Venedi
Prof SM Farid Mirbagheri

15.15 – 15.45 Tea

---

15.45 – 17.15    Session 4  - General Discussion
Chair: Andrew Wright

Click here to view further information and the video of this session
 

---

See also the video of the Cyprus Lecture 2010
by Cyprus Government Spokesman Stefanos Stephanou
"The Need for a settlement of the Cyprus Problem
 and current developments"

Click here to view video

 Text of the full speech by the Government Spokesman can be seen online at:
http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/All/4DEB3CF831F5A661C2257752002906AE?Opendocument

---

Sponsors:
AG Leventis Foundation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
London Metropolitan University
Cyprus Airways

Organisers:
Prof John Charalambous
Dr Alicia Chrysostomou
EPISTEME - (The Association of Cypriot Professional People in UK)
represented by Peter Droussiotis and Lakis Andronikou
Prof Robert Holland
Dr Nick Ioannides
Dr Klearchos Kyriakides
Prof Farid Mirbagheri
Prof Yiannis Papadakis
Mary Southcott

Details: a.chrysostomou@londonmet.ac.uk
www.londonmet.ac.uk/international/cyprus

This Conference took place under the auspices of
The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK

www.cypriotfederation.org.uk

==========================================================

Visitors to this page are asked to add their name to the petition at:
http://www.turkishinvasioncyprus.com

Apostolides v Orams and the rule of law in the European Union

Video of Lobby for Cyprus Seminar - Wednesday 24 March 2010
141 minutes



This video is also available as a single clip at archive dot org, here

" 'Apostolides v Orams' and the rule of law in the European Union"

Speakers:

Mr. Constantis Candounas
Mr Meletis Apostolides
Dr Klearchos Kyriakides
Mr. Nick Counoupias
Chaired by Mr. Costas Frangeskides


Mr Meletis Apostolides and his lawyer Mr. Constantis Candounas spoke about the recent English Court of Appeal decision.

This landmark case is of fundamental importance because the English Court of Appeal, in common with the European Court of Justice, upheld all the rights of Mr Apostolides in relation to his land and properties in Turkish-occupied Cyprus. In so doing, the Court of Appeal effectively upheld the rule of law and the rights of all of the dispossessed property owners in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus.

Mr Constantis Candounas spoke about the significant implications of this case for all those illegally trespassing and profiting from land and properties in the occupied areas of Cyprus who now face having judgments enforced against them and their assets in the UK and EU Courts.

The audience were particularly happy to have Mr Meletis Apostolides in attendance and to hear his personal perspective on the case.

Leading lecturer, lawyer and academic, Dr Klearchos Kyriakides, provided a detailed explaination of how the case re-affirms the rule of law, the principle which obliges all EU states, including the UK, to uphold the legal rights of all European Union citizens, including those of the Republic of Cyprus.

A summing up of the views expressed by the panel members, and a personal perspective addressing the recent ECHR Judgement in the case of Demopoulos and 7 others v Turkey was provided by lawyer and coordinator of the Lobby for Cyprus, Mr. Nick Counoupias.

This was followed by a question and answer session


http://www.lobbyforcyprus.org
(website in process of upgrade)
fax+44 (0) 20 8888 2556 or
e-mail admin @lobbyforcyprus.org

Location:
Great Hall
The Hellenic Centre
16-18 Paddington Street
London W1U 5AS


A previous entry on this weblog regarding the Apostolides v Orams case, including news reports and a link to the judgement in January 2010 by the British High court is available here


PS: There is currently a law case brought by Greek Cypriot refugees (and others) against Turkey in the U.S.A - any interested parties wishing to make contact regarding that case should contact Mr. Tsimpedes - http://www.tsimpedeslaw.com

Need for a Solution to the Cyprus Problem

“The Need for a Solution to the Cyprus Problem and
related current developments”

by

Mr. Stefanos Stefanou
Cyprus Government Spokesman

View thumbnails

Monday, 30th March 2009

Organised by The Cyprus Centre of the London Metropolitan University

in association with
The Association of British Cypriot Professionals

EPISTEME - EPISTHMH

under the auspices of the
National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom
www.cypriotfederation.org.uk

a.chrysostomou@londonmet.ac.uk

A full 74 minute video of this event is available for viewing online (copies can be downloaded, and the code for embedding this video into other websites can be obtained) from links at: the following source page:

http://www.archive.org/details/StefanosStefanouNeedforaSolutiontotheCyprusProblem

The Apostolides v Orams Case - An Update

See January 2010 Judgement report here

ASSOCIATION FOR CYPRIOT GREEK AND TURKISH AFFAIRS

Seminar

"The Apostolides v Orams Case - An Update"
Legal Issues, Political Significance and Practical
Implications

A talk by Constantis Candounas

Chairman: Alper Riza, QC


View thumbnails

Wednesday 25 March 2009
London School of Economics
European Institute

================================================
Details of the judgement on 28th April 2009 is visible at this blog here
================================================



Brief Abstract:

Mr Constantis Candounas was born in Nicosia, Cyprus. He studied law at Queen Mary College, London and returned to Cyprus to practise. In 2004 he took up the case of Mr Meletios Apostolides, a Greek Cypriot architect whose family had been forced to abandon their house, orchard and land in Lapithos, north Cyprus in the wake of the Turkish military operation in 1974. The property was given by the administration in the north to a Turkish Cypriot who in due course passed it on to another Turkish Cypriot, who in turn cut off the trees of the orchard and built the skeleton of a villa. The property was eventually acquired by a British couple, David and Linda Orams who completed and further developed the villa. Mr Candounas represented Mr Apostolides in his action before the Nicosia District Court which ordered that the Orams should demolish the villa, return the land to the rightful owner and pay him damages for trespass, plus interest and legal fees. The Orams failed to comply, and Mr Candounas proceeded to register the judgment in the High Court of Justice in London in October 2005 and sought, on the basis of the European Regulation on recognition and enforcement of judgments, to enforce the decision of the Nicosia District Court.

The case made headlines in the UK as it could affect the legal claims of many Greek Cypriots against British users of their properties in the north of Cyprus. The fact that Mrs Cherie Blair, QC represented the Orams at the High Court hearing in July 2006 added to the public interest. In September 2006 Judge Rupert Jack, in a complex and controversial decision, found that Mr and Mrs Orams were indeed trespassers on Mr Apostolides's property but that the High Court had no jurisdiction to enforce the judgment of the Nicosia District Court. In 2007 the Court of Appeal declined to uphold Justice Jack's judgment but instead referred the case to the ECJ for 5 preliminary rulings on points of law. The judgment of the European Court of Justice is expected later on this year, but in the meantime, the Court's Advocate General, J. Kokot's opinion was given on 18.12.08 upholding all of Mr. Apostolides's arguments. The Advocate General's opinion, though by no means binding on the court, is deemed to bear significant importance.

The political significance and practical implications of the decision were discussed by Mr Candounas. This was followed by a Question and Answer session.

To view this item online at source, Archive dot org, to obtain the code for embedding this video in other web-pages, and to download this video for offline viewing, see links at the source page:
http://www.archive.org/details/ConstantisCandounasApostolidesvOrams-UpdateandJudgement



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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CYPRIOT, GREEK & TURKISH AFFAIRS
Dr Zenon Stavrinides
General Secretary,
8 Ganners Mount, Leeds LS13 2PE, Great Britain
Tel: 0113 256 8907 Mobile: 07790 107353
Email: Z.Stavrinides@lineone.net

Visit the ACGTA websites at
http://website.lineone.net/~acgta
and
http://www.acgta.org

Accommodating the Cyprus issue in the European Union's political and legal order

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CYPRIOT, GREEK & TURKISH AFFAIRS

Seminar
Friday 13 March 2009

London School of Economics
European Institute

Accommodating the Cyprus issue in the
European Union's political and legal order

By Nikos Skoutaris,
European University Institute, Florence, Italy
Professor Takis Tridimas in the chair




Extended Abstract:

Despite the partial normalisation of the relations between the two ethno-religious segments on the island, Cyprus’ accession to the EU neither meant its reunification nor the restoration of the human rights or the complete lift of the political and economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community. Ironically enough, the accession of the island to the EU added a new dimension to its division. According to Protocol 10 on Cyprus of the Act of Accession 2003, although the Republic of Cyprus joined the Union with its entire territory, due to the fact that its Government cannot exercise effective control over the whole island, pending a settlement, the application of the acquis is ‘suspended in those areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not have effective control.

The scope of the paper is twofold: on the one hand it provides for a concise but accurate analytical framework of the derogations to the suspension of the acquis and on the other, it assesses the pragmatic approach that the Union has adopted when dealing with issues arising from the conflict such as the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, the “settlers” etc. In other words, it provides for a critique of the seemingly depoliticised and overly technical approach of the Union with which the EU has tried to absorb some of the stresses of the partition of the island by offering a mechanism that has enhanced the lives of most of the inhabitants on the island.

The main thesis of the paper (that consists of a summary of the outcomes of my doctoral research) is that although the application of the acquis is suspended in northern Cyprus, the territorial character of the suspension and the adoption of the Green Line Regulation and the instrument of financial support have allowed a limited integration of the areas not under the effective control of the Republic within the EU. In addition and with regard to a possible future settlement of the Cyprus issue, the paper argues that the Union is ‘ready to accommodate the terms of such a settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is founded.’ In other words, despite the foreseeable existence of tensions between a solution that would be based on the principles of bi-zonality, bi-communality and political equality and the Union legal order, the EU is willing and capable of accommodating the possible derogations from the acquis that such solution could entail.

Nikos Skoutaris is a Researcher in the Department of Law of the European University Institute (Florence, Italy) and Research Assistant of the Academy of European Law. He has worked as a specialist on the Cyprus issue and has published several articles on the interrelationship of the Cyprus issue and the Union legal order in legal journals and edited volumes. His latest article is “The application of the acquis communautaire in the Areas not under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus: The Green Line Regulation” 45(3) Common Market Law Review (2008) 727



Source page for this video at Archive dot org is here

-----------

Dr Zenon Stavrinides
General Secretary, Association for Cypriot,

Greek and Turkish Affairs
8 Ganners Mount, Leeds LS13 2PE, Great Britain
Tel: 0113 256 8907 Mobile: 07790 107353
Email: Z.Stavrinides@lineone.net

Visit the ACGTA websites at
http://website.lineone.net/~acgta
and
http://www.acgta.org