European Mps Of Turkish Origin Think Eu Should Keep Its Promises To Turkish Cypriots

LEFKOSA - European MPs of Turkish origin expressed thought on Sunday that the European Union (EU) should keep its promises to Turkish Cypriots.
The parliamentarians visited Lokmaci crossing in Cyprus. They had a "North Cyprus Summit" in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Saturday.
"It is obligatory for the EU to keep its promises to end isolation of Turkish Cypriots," the MPs said in a joint statement they made at the Lokmaci crossing.
The parliamentarians said that they wished that negotiations should be launched in the island as soon as possible and a solution based on political equality should be found.
"Taking steps that will bring the two nations closer to each other will not only shorten the path to a comprehensive settlement, but also help build mutual confidence," the MPs said in their statement.
The European MPs of Turkish origin also said that maintaining efforts to integrate Turkish Cypriots to Europe was an indispensable condition for reunification of Cyprus.
The MPs said that they wish for a Cyprus in peace.
Saturday`s meeting was the second summit of these MPs in Northern Cyprus, and was held with upon an invitation by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and contributions of the President of TRNC.
President Mehmet Ali Talat and Premier Ferdi Sabit Soyer of TRNC spoke in the opening session of the summit on Saturday.
The first "Northern Cyprus Summit of European MPs of Turkish Origin" was held in Girne, TRNC on March 31st-April 1st, 2007. Parliamentarians from Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria attended the summit.
In their final statement, the MPs called on the European Union (EU) to keep all promises made to Turkish Cypriots, end isolation, adopt direct trade regulations, recognise Turkish as one of official languages of the EU and allow international direct flights to Ercan Airport in the TRNC.
The European MPs are expected to depart from Cyprus later on Monday.
(BRC-AÖ)