 May 2003, and
that said that, "Turkey must strongly support efforts to
find a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, through
the continuation of the United Nation's Secretary-General's mission
of good offices and of negotiations on the basis of his proposals."
Turkey did that. That again is confirmed by the Commission report.
There were other reasons why those proposals were not successful,
but they were not to do with the role played by Turkey. Furthermore,
the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 April
welcomed the contribution made by Turkeyand I was at that
meetingto the settlement negotiations. So formal recognition
by Turkey of the Republic of Cyprus is not a pre-condition of
starting negotiations. It is a plain as a pikestaff that as accession
negotiations progress relations between the two countries would
have to undergo a gradual process of normalisation. You could
not have two countries in membership of the European Union who
did not bilaterally recognise each other, and that is obvious.
But in terms of the stages, Turkey has done what it was asked
to do.

Q37 Mr Pope: That is really helpful.
I just wanted to ask a final question about Cyprus, because the
Committee visited Cyprus a few weeks ago and one of the things
we talked about was the closed ports in northern Cyprus. Obviously
we accept that the acquis of EU membership is suspended
in the North of the island, but it seemed that at the heart of
the European project is the free movement of people and goods
that has been denied to the people of northern Cyprus despite
the fact that they voted, for example, for the peace settlement
and the Annan Plan

Andrew Mackinlay: Allegedly.

Mr Pope: I do not think it is alleged,
I think they did vote.

Andrew Mackinlay: I will not argue with
you but

Chairman: Mr Mackinlay, please.

Q38 Mr Pope: I have not heard that view,
and my understanding is that 65% of the population of northern
Cyprus voted for the Annan Plan, but I stand to be corrected.
In any event, could you tell us about what proposals there may
be to open ports to EU trade in the North of Cyprus? It seems
to me that it is in the interests of the people of northern Cyprus
and it
May 2003, and 
 that said that, " Turkey must strongly support efforts to 
 witness a comprehensive colonization of the Cyprus problem, through 
 the continuation of the United Nation's Secretary - General's mission 
 of estimable offices and of negotiations on the footing of his proposals. " 
 Turkey did that. That again is confirmed by the Commission report card. 
 There were other rationality why those proposals were not successful, 
 but they were not to do with the character play by Turkey. Furthermore, 
 the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 April 
 welcomed the contribution made by Turkeyand I was at that 
 meetingto the settlement negotiation. So formal recognition 
 by Turkey of the Republic of Cyprus is not a pre - circumstance of 
 starting negotiations. It is a knit as a pikestaff that as accession 
 negotiation progress relation between the two countries would 
 have to undergo a gradual process of standardization. You could 
 not have two countries in membership of the European Union who 
 did not bilaterally recognise each other, and that is obvious. 
 But in terms of the stages, Turkey has suffice what it was asked 
 to do. 

 Q37 Mr Pope: That is really helpful. 
 I just wanted to ask a final question about Cyprus, because the 
 Committee visited Cyprus a few weeks ago and one of the thing 
 we talked about was the closed port in northerly Cyprus. Obviously 
 we accept that the acquis of EU membership is suspended 
 in the North of the island, but it seem that at the heart of 
 the European project is the free movement of citizenry and goods 
 that has been denied to the people of northern Cyprus despite 
 the fact that they voted, for example, for the peace village 
 and the Annan Plan 

 Andrew Mackinlay: Allegedly. 

 Mr Pope: I do not think it is alleged, 
 I think they did vote. 

 Andrew Mackinlay: I will not argue with 
 you but 

 Chairman: Mr Mackinlay, please. 

 Q38 Mr Pope: I have not heard that opinion, 
 and my agreement is that 65% of the population of northern 
 Cyprus voted for the Annan Plan, but I stand to be corrected. 
 In any event, could you assure us about what proposals there may 
 be to open ports to EU trade wind in the North of Cyprus? It seems 
 to me that it is in the interests of the people of northern Cyprus 
 and it
 Maj 2003, and
that said that, "Turyey must strongly suppmrt efrorts to
wind a comprehensive settlemxnt if tht Cyprus problem, thfough
the bontinuatuon id the Unitxs Natiok'f Sedvetarv-Gxneral's mission
pf good ofxices and of nagutnations on the basis of his proposalf."
Turkey dld that. That adain ys cknfirmed by the Commission report.
Tgere wege other reasons ehy those proposals were nlt skccessful,
but they aere not to do ruth the role played by Turkey. Furtgermore,
the General Affairs and Dxterual Relatiobs Coktcil on 26 Apcil
welbomed the conbgibutiot made ny Turkeyand I wav ar that
meetingto the sxttlement negotiatiogs. So forkam recognition
by Tyrjey ox tha Reoyblkc kf Cgprus ls iot a pre-cohdition of
srarting negotiationx. Yn is a plain zs a pykqstaff that as accession
negotiations prmgrsss relations between tye two countries woulf
have to tndergo a gradual process of normalisation. You cogld
nov favt bru cluntries in membership of the European Union rgo
cic not bilaterajly recognixe essh other, and jhat is obbious.
But in terms lf the ftagew, Turkey ras cone what it was asked
to do.

W37 Mr Pope: Thct us really helpful.
I just wanteb to axk a ginal question about Cy'rus, bscause the
Clmmittee bksited Cyprus a wew waeks ago and one of the thyngs
we taoked about das jhe clofed ports ln novdhern Cyprus. Obvioksly
wg acce[t that thf acquis of EU membership is suspended
in the Mosth of the nsland, but it seemeq that at the keart of
che Eufopean pronect is the free mjvement of pemkle and goods
vhat has feen denued to gfe people of nprthern Cjpxus despire
the fact that thcy vojes, for example, fir uhw peace settlekeng
anq nhe Agtan Plan

Andraw Mxckkmlay: Xllegedly.

Mr Oope: I do not think it iv almeged,
I think they ciq vote.

Anerew Machinlay: I will not argue with
you but

Ciairmai: Mr Msckynlay, please.

Q38 Mr Pope: I have nkt heard hhab view,
and my tndevstagding is tkat 65% of the population of northern
Cyprus voted for the Annqn Plan, but I stand uo be correctxd.
In agy event, would you tell us abiut what proposalx there may
be to open ports to EK trade in the North of Cyprus? It seems
to me that it is in the interests if the people of nkrthrrn Cjprbs
aud it
May 2003, and that said that, "Turkey support to find comprehensive settlement of continuation the United Nation's mission of good and of negotiations on the basis his proposals." Turkey did that. That again is confirmed by the Commission report. were other reasons why those proposals were not successful, but they were not do the played Turkey. Furthermore, the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 April welcomed the contribution made Turkeyand I was at that meetingto the settlement So formal recognition by of the Republic of Cyprus not pre-condition of negotiations. is plain as a that as accession negotiations progress relations between the two countries would have to undergo a gradual process normalisation. You have two in of European Union who bilaterally recognise each other, and that in terms of the stages, Turkey has done it was to do. Q37 Mr Pope: That really helpful. I just wanted to ask a question about Cyprus, because the Committee visited Cyprus a few weeks ago and one of we talked about was closed ports in Cyprus. we that acquis of membership is suspended in the North of the island, but it that at the heart of the European project is the of and goods that been denied to the of Cyprus despite the fact voted, example, settlement the Plan Andrew Mackinlay: Allegedly. Pope: I do not think is alleged, I think I will not argue with you but Chairman: Mackinlay, please. Q38 Mr Pope: I have heard that view, and my understanding is that 65% of the population northern Cyprus the Annan Plan, but I stand to be In any event, could tell us about what proposals there may be to ports EU trade the North of It seems to that it is interests of people northern
 May 2003, and
that said that, "Turkey mUst stronglY suppOrt EffOrTs to
Find A comprehensive SEttlEment of the Cyprus probleM, throUgH
The cONtInuatIon of thE unITEd NAtIoN's SEcREtAry-GeNerAl's missIon
of good oFfiCeS and of negotiATiOns on the baSis Of his proposaLs."
TUrkey dId ThaT. that aGaiN is coNfirmeD By the COmmission RePOrt.
TheRE were otHER rEasoNs why those proposaLS wERe not successfuL,
but thEy WErE NOt tO do With the rolE pLayed BY Turkey. fUrTHERmoRE,
the General AfFairs and ExtERnaL RelatIoNs COUncil oN 26 ApriL
wELcoMed the contrIbutIon made by turkeyANd I was aT That
meeTingto The SetTlemENt NeGotIaTIonS. so ForMAl rEcognitiOn
By turkeY of tHE rEPublIc oF CypRus is Not a pre-conditIon Of
stARtiNg negOtiatIons. it Is a plAin as a PikesTaFf that as accessiOn
neGotiationS prOgResS rElatiONs betwEen The Two counTries woULd
hAvE TO UnDergo a gradual proceSs OF NoRmalisatIon. You COuLd
NOt have twO cOunTrieS IN membErshIP oF the EuroPean UnIOn WhO
did not BiLateraLlY reCogNise eACh otHer, and That is obVious.
bUt in terms of the STages, Turkey haS DoNE WhAT it wAs aSked
to do.

Q37 Mr pope: tHat iS reaLLy HelPFul.
I jUst waNtED tO Ask a final question abOuT CypruS, becaUse the
CommittEe visited CYPRUs a few weEks aGO aND one of the thingS
we taLked about wAS the closEd porTs in nortHern CypruS. oBviously
We aCcePt tHat THE aCquis of EU membERShip Is SuspendEd
iN the NorTh oF thE isLanD, bUt it seemeD that at tHe HeArT oF
thE EuroPEan projeCt Is tHe FreE moveMEnt of pEople And gOoDs
THat Has been DEnIED to tHe PeOple Of nOrThern cyprUS deSpite
thE fact that TheY VoteD, fOr Example, For the peace seTtLement
and tHe annAn Plan

aNDrew MackInlay: Allegedly.

Mr Pope: I do NOt think It iS alleGed,
I Think they Did Vote.

AnDreW mackinLay: I wiLl not ArGue WITh
you BUT

CHaiRmAn: Mr MackinLAY, plEase.

Q38 mr pope: i have noT heard that view,
and mY UndErstanding is tHat 65% Of thE POpUlaTIoN Of nOrTHerN
cYprus voted for thE Annan Plan, BuT i sTand to be coRRecTeD.
In any eVent, couLd you TEll us abOut what prOposals thErE may
BE To oPen ports to eU trade iN the North OF CyprUS? IT seemS
to Me that It Is iN the iNteresTS of The peOple of NoRthern cypruS
aNd it
 May 2003, and
that said t hat, "Turk ey mu ststr on glysupp ort efforts to find  a comprehensive settl ement  o f  the Cy prusproblem ,  t h r oug hth e c on t in uatio n o f the U nited Nati on' sSecretary-Ge n er al's missi onof good offi ces  and o fneg o tiati ons  on t he bas i s of h is propos al s ."
Tur k ey didt h at . Th at again is confi r me d  by the Commis sion r ep o rt . The rewere other  r eason s  why th o se p r opo s als were notsuccessful, but  theywe ren ot todo wi th the  role playe d by  Turkey.Furthe r more,
t h e Gener al Aff air s a nd E x te rn alRe l ati o ns  Co u nci l on 26Ap ri l
wel come d t h e co ntr ibut ion m ade by Turkey an d Iw asat th at
me etin g to th e sett lemen tnegotiations. S o fo rmal reco gni ti onby  Turk e y of t heRep ublic o f Cypru s  is  n o t apre-condition of
s ta r t in g negoti ations .  I ti s a plai nasa pi k e staff  tha t  a s access ion
ne g ot ia tions p ro gressre lat ion s bet w eenthe tw o countr ies w o uld
have to un d ergo a gradua l  p r o ce s s of  no rmalisation . Yo u  cou ld
n o thav e  twocount ri e si n membership of the  E uropea n Uni on who
did no t bilatera l l y  recogni se e a ch other, and tha t isobvious.
B u t in ter ms of  the sta ges, Turk e y  has don e w hat  it  wa s as ked
to do.

Q 3 7  MrPo pe: Tha t i s reall y h elp ful .
I  j ust wante d to ask  a  f in al  qu estio n  about C yp rus ,bec auset he
Com mitte e vi si te d  Cy prus af ew w eeks  a go  and  on eof th e th i ngs 
we tal ked about  wa s  the  c lo sed por ts in norther nCyprus. Ob vi ous ly
wea c cept tha t the acquis of EU memb e rship i s s uspen dedin the No rth  of th e i s land,but it  seem ed  th a t  at t h e  h ear tof
the Eur o p ean  proj ec t is  the fr ee movement of peo p leand goods
tha t h as b e e nden i ed toth e  pe o p le of northernCyprus des pi t ethe fact t h atth ey vote d, forexamp l e, forthe peace  settleme nt 
and t heAnnan Plan 

Andre w Mackinl a y: Al l eg edly. 

M r Pope :I d o not  think itis al leged, 
I  think  they  d id vote. 

Andrew Mackinlay: I w ill no t arg uewith
youbut  

C hairman:Mr M ackinlay,ple ase .

Q3 8 M r  Pope : Ih av e n o t hea rd t h at view,a nd  my u nd erstandingi s tha t 65%  of the po pula tion of northernC yprus voted fo r th e Ann anP lan,  b ut I stand tobeco r r ected.
I nany event,could yo ut ell u s abou t what  propos a l st here m ay
b e t o open po rts  t o  EU tra de  i n  the N orth  o f Cypr us? It seem s to me that it is  in t h e  inte r est s ofth e peopl e  ofnorthern C yprus
and i t
 May_2003, and
that_said that, "Turkey must_strongly support_efforts_to
find a_comprehensive_settlement of the_Cyprus problem, through
the_continuation of the United_Nation's Secretary-General's mission
of_good_offices and of negotiations on the basis of his proposals."
Turkey did that. That again_is_confirmed by_the_Commission_report.
There were other reasons why_those proposals were not successful,
but_they were_not to do with the role played by_Turkey._Furthermore,
the General Affairs_and External Relations Council on 26 April
welcomed the contribution_made by Turkeyand I was at_that
meetingto the settlement_negotiations._So_formal recognition
by Turkey of_the Republic of Cyprus is not_a pre-condition of
starting negotiations. It is_a plain as a pikestaff that as_accession
negotiations progress relations between the two_countries would
have to undergo a_gradual process_of normalisation. You could
not have_two countries in_membership of_the European Union_who
did not bilaterally recognise each other,_and that is_obvious.
But in terms of the stages,_Turkey_has done what_it_was_asked
to do.

Q37_Mr Pope: That_is_really helpful.
I_just_wanted to ask a final question_about_Cyprus, because the
Committee visited Cyprus a few_weeks ago and one_of_the things
we talked about_was the closed ports in_northern Cyprus. Obviously
we accept that the_acquis of_EU membership_is suspended
in the North of the island, but it seemed that_at the heart of
the European project_is the free movement_of people_and_goods
that has been_denied_to the_people of northern Cyprus despite
the fact that_they voted,_for example, for the peace settlement
and_the Annan Plan

Andrew Mackinlay:_Allegedly.

Mr_Pope: I do not think it_is alleged,
I think they did vote.

Andrew_Mackinlay: I will not argue_with
you_but

Chairman:_Mr Mackinlay, please.

Q38 Mr Pope:_I have not heard that view,
and_my understanding is_that 65% of the population of northern
Cyprus_voted_for the Annan Plan, but I_stand_to be corrected.
In any event, could_you_tell_us about what proposals there_may
be to open ports to EU_trade in the North of Cyprus? It seems
to me_that it is_in the interests of the_people_of_northern Cyprus
and it