Foreign Minister Özdil Nami has met with Stefan Füle, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policies in Brussels.
At the meeting which took place in a friendly atmosphere, Minister Nami conveyed to Commissioner Füle his thoughts regarding the ongoing negotiation process on the island, and particularly expressed that with the appointment of Mr. Espen Barth Eide, the UN Secretary-General’s new Advisor on Cyprus, the hope has emerged that the negotiation process will gain new momentum.
Furthermore, Minister Nami expressed his concern regarding the transference of the Turkish Cypriot Task Force from the Directorate-General for Enlargement of the European Commission where is currently exists, to the Directorate-General for Regional Policy. Minister Nami stated it is well-known that this new arrangement is an internal arrangement within the structure of the Commission, and that precautions should be taken to ensure that this development does not put in jeopardy the continuity of the work that the Turkish Cypriot side has conducted with the European Union as of 2004.
Minister Nami also emphasized that there are still various issues to be overcome, and that he expects the European Commission to demonstrate effort to urgently produce solutions regarding the registration of Hellim to the EU as a Protected Designation of Origin, as well as pertaining to the crossing of commercial vehicles across the Green Line and the issue of processed foods.