Cyprus: accession to the European Union and progress in negotiations

The European Parliament adopted the report drafted by Mr Jacques F POOS (PES, L) supporting early accession for Cyprus on the understanding that this should not be conditional on a solution to the political problems of the present division of the island. The resolution deplores the lack of good will on the part of Turkey's Cypriot side and Turkey in reaching a political agreement on the future of the island. Furthermore, the Parliament believes that the Union is capable of making a vital contribution to the security of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities within the framework of a peace settlement and the demilitarisation of the island. The Union can also resolve the problem of the controlled return of refugees and the repatriation of the settlers.�