The European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) has called on Turkey to withdraw its occupation troops from Cyprus and stop the influx of illegal settlers to Cyprus’ northern Turkish occupied areas. The Committee also points out that direct trade with the occupied part of Cyprus can only take place from Famagusta port, still under Turkish occupation.
The call is included in a report on Turkey, which the Committee adopted on Thursday. According to a press release issued by Cypriot MEP and member of AFET Ioannis Kasoulides, the report was drafted by Dutch MEP Ria Oomen- Ruijten.
For the first time a political decision is taken to the effect that direct trade from Cyprus` northern Turkish occupied areas can only take place from Famagusta port, following a Republic of Cyprus decision and under EU customs supervision, the press release says.
The report also points out that Famagusta town must be returned to the UN in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 550, noting that this is a prerequisite for direct trade between the occupied areas and the EU.