**Dana Calls on Fitto to Facilitate Implementation of Direct Trade Regulation**
In a recent statement, Mehmet Dana, the undersecretary to Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, urged Raffaele Fitto, the newly appointed European Commission envoy for the Cyprus problem, to take proactive steps in implementing the EU's direct trade regulation with the Turkish Cypriot community. This call comes as part of ongoing efforts to address the longstanding isolation faced by the Turkish Cypriot people.
Dana referenced a decision made by the European Council in 2004, which underscored the EU's commitment to ending this isolation and tasked the commission with preparing comprehensive proposals to facilitate this goal. However, Dana expressed frustration that, despite the passage of nearly two decades, there has been little to no significant progress in this area, particularly regarding the direct trade regulation.
He emphasized that the timely action from Fitto and the European Union would represent a vital support for the Turkish Cypriot community's aspirations for a solution to the Cyprus issue. "Fitto’s ensuring that the necessary steps are taken in this direction without further delay would be the greatest support given by the European Union to the efforts for a solution," Dana stated.
Dana reiterated the Turkish Cypriot people's strong desire for a resolution to the ongoing division of the island, affirming their support for the efforts of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. However, he also highlighted a significant concern regarding the EU's role in the negotiation process, noting that the Greek Cypriot side's membership in the EU gives it veto power, which complicates the EU's ability to remain neutral. "It is impossible to expect the European Union... to be neutral in any possible negotiation process," he remarked, pointing to what he described as unilateral decisions and biased statements from various EU institutions in recent times.
Since Erhurman took office in October 2022, he has been vocal about the necessity of building trust not only with the Greek Cypriot side but also with the European Union. This approach aims to foster a more conducive environment for dialogue and potential resolution.
Fitto, who previously acknowledged the leadership change within the Turkish Cypriot community as a potential opportunity for progress, has expressed hope that the coming months would yield more concrete discussions aimed at resuming the formal settlement process. "The window of opportunity must not close without progress," he stated during a speech to the European Parliament last November. He emphasized the EU's expectation for all parties to engage constructively and positively in discussions, reiterating the Commission's readiness to utilize all available resources to support these efforts.
In his capacity as European cohesion commissioner, Fitto is responsible for overseeing the directorate-general for regional and urban policy, which includes the Cyprus settlement support unit. His dual role as envoy and commissioner places him in a pivotal position to influence the dynamics of the Cyprus issue, particularly in fostering engagement and cooperation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on the potential for renewed dialogue and the implementation of measures that could alleviate the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community, with both Dana and Fitto emphasizing the importance of trust and collaboration in moving forward.