All Cypriot citizens will be able to exercise their right to the fundamental freedoms after the solution of the Cyprus problem, Governement Spokesmane Stephanos Stephanou has said.
This, he noted, would be a major positive step in strengthening the cohesive elements of the solution.
In statements to the press, Stephanou said that President Christofias has sent to the political parties, which participate in the National Council, the general framework of the positions of the Greek Cypriot side submitted during the ongoing negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus issue along with the document outlining the convergences of January 29, 2010.
Commenting on the document with convergences achieved between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, Stephanou explained that the particular document provides for implementation of freedoms of establishment, movement, labour, business and economic activity.
He said that these freedoms have to do with the exercise of human rights of all Cypriot citizens throughout the territory of Cyprus.
Through this convergence, he added, it is ensured that all Cypriot citizens will be able to exercise these fundamental freedoms after the solution of the Cyprus problem.
“This is achieved for the first time in the talks and is a major positive step in strengthening the cohesive elements of the solution,“ he pointed out.
In the documents, Stephenou said, there is a limit on the establishment of Turkish nationals to maintain the demographic ratio 4 to 1.
He clarified that for every four Greek nationals settling in Cyprus one Turkish national would have the right of establishment and thus obtaining the citizenship.
So, he added, it is wrong to say that with this convergence all Turkish citizens acquire the right of establishment.
Just the opposite, he continued, “this right is limited even if Turkey joins the EU.“
“What we have ensured is that even if Turkey joins the EU this restriction will still be valid and I think the reasons are self-explanatory.“
Referring to the agreement in principle on the four freedoms to be enjoyed by Turkish nationals, the Spokesman said these include the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons.
He made it clear that this agreement does not include the freedom of establishment.
Stephanou said that the issue of freedoms of Turkish nationals is subject to agreement on the Turkish settlers issue as it is recorded in the same document.
He also pointed out that convergences included in the document of January 2010 are better than those of the Annan Plan.
President Demetris Christofias briefed on February 2 the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, on the results of his meetings with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in Greentree, New York on January 22-24. The body will convene again on February 15 and 17 for two all-day sessions to continue discussions on all issues of the Cyprus problem.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.
Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.
The UN Secretary General met with President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader for the fifth time in January 2012, in Greentree. In his statements, following the meeting, Ban said limited progress was achieved and invited both sides to make decisive moves in the negotiation chapters of governance, property and citizenship.