Minister Nami meets with EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Hahn
Foreign Minister Özdil Nami and his delegation have gone to Brussels yesterday to hold a series of contacts.
Minister Nami commenced his contacts by meeting with Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy. Nami then held a series of meetings with the Permanent Representatives of various EU member states with representation in Brussels. During the said meetings, Nami conveyed information on the recent developments pertaining to the Cyprus issue and referred to the decisions of EU institutions towards lifting the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot side. Expressing that a comprehensive settlement on the Island will be easier to achieve along with the integration process of the Turkish Cypriots to the EU, Nami requested the support of EU institutions to lift the restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriots.
Minister Nami later gave a conference titled “The Cyprus Problem and Hydrocarbon Resources: Challenges and Opportunities” at the Brussels Press Club Europe (PCE). During his speech, Minister Nami indicated that a new arrangement in the Eastern Mediterranean based on stability and cooperation instead of chronic disputes stemming from increased tension and the power politics of various countries is possible. Nami added that in order for this project to materialize, the Cyprus issue must be resolved in the shortest possible time. Nami also pointed out that the positive effects of the resolution of the Cyprus problem will resonate in Turkey’s EU membership process, in EU-NATO relations as well as in several other fields. Nami stated that the natural resources found around Israel and Cyprus can be transported to the EU via Turkey in a way which contributes to the EU’s energy security needs. Furthermore, Minister Nami expressed that the international community and particularly the EU must encourage the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table without any preconditions.
Minister Nami, who will continue his contacts in Brussels today, is expected to return to the Island this evening. Nami is being accompanied by Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry Dr. Erhan Erçin, Private Secretary Hüseyin Özel and Third Secretary Sertaç Güven.
