Sarah Ludford said:
"The productive meeting with Turkish Cypriot MPs highlighted their desire to reach a political settlement to the long-standing dispute in Cyprus, a view I wholeheartedly share. I note with approval that businesses from the Turkish and Greek communities recently stressed in a joint statement the need for negotiations on reaching a peaceful solution to resume. Both sides must recognise that it is in their economic, political and social interests to break the impasse and get results."
"Discussions also covered Turkish Cypriot representation at the European Parliament. I strongly support the proposal for Turkish Cypriots to be granted observer status so that they have the opportunity at least to attend and take part in debates. This would represent an important step towards respecting and enfranchising the Turkish Cypriot community. I regret that groups representing a majority of MEPs rejected this proposal last April, but hope it will soon return to the European Parliament agenda so that Turkish Cypriots can have a proper say about EU legislation."
CPTR Committee for Protection of Turkic Rights
Union of British Turks
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