Council Of Europe Gives Representation Right To Turkish Cypriots At Coepa

STRASBOURG - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe (COE) decided on Tuesday to give one of the representation rights of Greek Cypriots to Turkish Cypriots.
Diplomatic sources said that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) did not welcome the decision because TRNC local authority representative would participate in activities of COE only within Greek Cypriot delegation.
Sources said that TRNC representative would not attend activities within Greek Cypriot delegation and the decision was not satisfactory for Turkish Cypriots.
Meanwhile, sources consider the decision as ''the lesser of two evils'' because representation right of Greek Cypriots decreased from three to two.
Earlier, a decision, which envisages the participation of TRNC parliamentarians in general assembly meetings of COEPA and making them deliver speeches, was prevented with the initiative of Greek Cypriots.
During the voting in general assembly, COEPA decided to make close cooperation with TRNC parliamentarians.
COEPA Secretary General Bruno Haller will present a report regarding the representation status of TRNC parliamentarians during the chairmanship council meeting on June 21.
(GC-AÖ) 25.05.2004