Sarah meets Fevzi Hussein and Ismail Veli from Embargoed (Newham Borough Liberal Democrats)

Newham Borough Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Sarah meets Fevzi Hussein and Ismail Veli from Embargoed

October 15, 2009 5:11 PM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

Sarah Ludford met Fevzi Hussein and Ismail Veli from Embargoed!, a London-based campaigning organisation calling for an end to the political and economic isolation of the people of North Cyprus. Because of the unresolved division of the island and the non-recognition of the administration in the North, there is an international ban on direct travel and trade, sporting events, and academic exchange, except for Turkey which recognises the 'Turkish Republic of North Cyprus'. Sarah Ludford, who has also recently met Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami, said:

"The meeting highlighted how the people of North Cyprus suffer through trade embargoes and political isolation. I deeply regret that the Republic of Cyprus continues to veto a European Commission proposal for direct trade made 5 years ago in recognition of the Turkish Cypriot 2 to 1 vote for the UN Annan plan which was torpedoed by the negative Greek Cypriot vote. I fully support the renewed search for agreement on a bi-zonal bi-communal federation, but this must come quickly since the absence of a fair and comprehensive resolution, including to the property issue, is unsustainable. I and my colleagues in the European Parliament will explore what possibilities there now are for associating Turkish Cypriot representatives with the work of MEPs."