newsitems

 

    The recent paradox of freezing EU Talks with front-runner Croatia, while continuing controversial EU - Turkey talks, despite Zagreb's acceptance of Refugees' Human Rights to return, that Ankara refuses fex. in Cyprus, while both have "Good Neighborhood" problems vis a vis Slovenia, or Greece, Cyprus and Armenia respectively, can it be justified by the non-fullfilment of EU criteria, as Slovenia says, or, is it "Double Standards" ?    

The question became unavoidable after statements by Presidents of Slovenia and Croatia, Tuerk and Mesic, respectively, to "EuroFora", exclusively or among Strasbourg's journalists this week at the CoE, on the sidelines of its 2009 Summer University for Political Schools, which topically brought them together as successive key-note speakers.

    Comming only a few Months before EU checks Turkey's compliance to its commitments on Cyprus, etc., scheduled for December 2009, this obviously has a special importance for the coherence of EU Enlargement's principles.

     Suspension of EU Negotiations is a normal consequence in case of a Candidate Country's failure to fullfil EU Conditions, such as "Good Neighborhood relations", stressed at first Slovenian President Danilo Tuerk, current CoE's chair.

    But, regarding EU's Criteria,  there shouldn't be any "Double Standards",  reacted Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, commenting the fact that Turkey's controversial EU negotiations continue, while they were recently "freezed" in the case of Croatia, an "unquestionably European Country", which oficially accepts to respect Refugees Human Rights, contrary to Ankara's notorious refusals or reluctance.                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           - "EU itself has set as a Criterium (for EU Enlargement) the "Good Neighborhood relations",  and their absence justifies the "Suspension" EU Negotiations, (f.ex. with Croatia), because of a Border dispute affecting the territorial integrity of an EU Member Country, stressed Slovenian President, Danilo Tuerk, CoE's Chairman in office (May - November 2009), speaking to Journalists in Strasbourg including "EuroFora".    

Questioned earlier what "consequences on EU's Enlargement policy" can have the "Ban on EU Membership Negotiations", imposed to Croatia, Tuerk replied that "this question comes down to the fulfillement of (EU) Criteria for membership. One has to look at each Candidate Country ., from the point of view whether it fullfils the Criteria that EU has set. One of them are Good Neighborhood Relations, I'd like to remind. And also, there are other factors, such as Justice, Home affairs, Rule of Law, and others".

    - "Now, ..Candidate Countries are at Different Levels of fulfillement of Criteria", he observed.

    - " Croatia is obviously the closest to that. I'm rather optimistic : I think that in the coming Months we'll have an opportunity to look at all these issues constructively and hopefully we'll be able to make progress". "My main concern, at this point, is the situation in Bosnia : We haven't seen enough progres domesticaly. We haven't seen enough during ..political parties within their country.We need a New Energy, a new energetic move towards the Candidature for EU membership. "Other (Western Balkan) Countries (Serbia, Montenegro, FYROM, Albania) have been making soaring Progress, and I think that they should be ready, in a few Years, for the Candidate status".

    - "As far as the Western Balkans are concerned, .. nobody should be left outside" the EU, Slovenian's President concluded, ommitting to mention Turkey's controversial EU bid.

    - "This process may be seen as Slow, but..  Slovenia has also has also been exposed to various "Booms of Slowness" in our accession period. But now we can say that the process was relatively quick, because changes which occur after becoming EU member, are quite large, and they require proper Preparations before the (EU) membership becomes a new factor, an impacting line for a new (EU) member country".
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EU "Solidarity" ?
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Slovenian statements made some participants from certain 3rd Countries as FYROM, etc. claim that "the Principle of EU Solidarity" would "produce a.. rising European Union Nationalism (sic !), against Non-EU Countries", as they said, asking unhappy foreign countries to form a "bloc" to exert pressure on the EU...    

But Croatian President Stjepan Mesic dismissed that, supporting "EU Integration", "after the Economy also in Political" issues, as "the achievement" of our times. In EU there is "diversity, but it's United", he stressed, "EU has to be United so that it can become a central factor of Peace" also at the surrounding areas, he replied.

 

Speaking later exclusively to "EuroFora", the experienced twice President of Croatia, former President of the International "Non-Aligned" movement, denounced "Double Standards" in the way EU treats recently Croatia compared to Turkey :   

 - "I think that there shouldn't be Double Standards", stressed the Croatian President, in reply to a Question comparing the freeze of EU - Croatia talks, with the continuation of EU - Turkey talks, despite the fact that Croatia is an "unquestionably European country", while Turkey's EU bid is notoriously controversial.

    Mesic was reacting to the observation that, even if he confirmed his "respect of Refugees' Human Rights to return, etc. (See infra), nevertheless, EU talks are suspended with Croatia.. While for oher, controversial candidates, who refuse to respect Refugees' Rights to return, etc., as fex. Turkey does in occupied Cyprus and elsewhere, EU negotiations continue".

    - "I believe that Croatia's accession will confirm that all European Countries who fulfill all of the Conditions and achieve European Standards, have to join the EU. There shouldn't be any Double Standards", went on to add in reply President Mesic.

    In this relation, Croatia's President found "of paramount importance", CoE's "mechanisms enforcing ECHR's judgements"
    
    - "On Refugees and Displaced persons, the process will be completed only after the last person demanding to return will be allowed to do so !", President Mesic Croatia stressed earlier, setting a general standard of obvious importance also for otherr candidates, as f.ex. Turkey, often accused to exclude or heavily restrict Greek Cypriot Displaced persons' return to their Family Homes and ancestral land, provoke difficulties to Turkish-Kurd IDPs return to their home regions at the South-East, etc.

    Some "2.000 People are still reported Missing" in former Yugoslavia, for some Years, (as in Cyprus, modern Europe's oldest case, for 3 Decades. Nagorno-Karabach, Tcecnya in Russia, etc, more recently), and Investigations "will only be completed after establishing the fate of the last one of them", he added.
    
    Speaking earlier on "War Crimes", President Mesic stressed that "Leaders are responsible for (the) Wars (of the Past), not the People", and called against Impunity :  "Individuals have to be held Responsible for Crimes. International Penal Tribunals have to persecute those individuals", perpetrators of War Crimes, he underlined.

    Such statements naturally made Mesic rather popular at ECHR, whose President, French EuroJudge, Professor Jean-Paul Costa, looked particularly smiling when he welcomed him later on Wednesday afternoon, after Slovenian President Daniko Tuerk earlier this week.
           

 

The first contact since June EU Election before imminent deals on EU Commision and EU Parliament's Heads, between the winner : President of EU Parliament's largest Group : EPP/Christiandemocrats, Joseph Daul, and the Socialist Group's President, Martin Schulz, was a phone conversation, on Saturday, at the sidelines of a Governing French UMP Party gathering in Strasbourg, "EuroFora" learned, in order to prepare crucial Plenary Sessions from mid-July in Strasbourg.

Schulz reportedly had underlined on Thursday, July 2 that "he had not contacted EPP leader Joseph Daul since the June European elections" (http://www.euractiv.com/en/future-eu/socialists-bid-grab-key-commission-portfolios/article-183727 ).

The  long "phone conversation" between Daul and "Schulz" on July 4 resulted into an "agreement", Daul told "EuroFora", without going into details.

Topically, the event took place at the eve of Monday's, July 6, scheduled EU Parliament's Presidential Committee's meeting with the Swedish EU Presidency at Stockhom.

- "We intend to vote for Barroso", as EU Commission President for 2009-2014, the EPP leader confirmed.

But Daul didn't yet seem ready to have a reply to the question whether EU Parliament's majority in Strasbourg might wish, or not, some further developpements or clarifications to Barroso's one and a half page of condensated text presented to EU Governrments in Brussels in June, after a joint call by German Chancellor Merkel and French President Sarkozy earlier in Paris to present "a Programme" for Europe's future in 2009-2014.

- "At first, there will be a vote on July in agreement with Shultz", he simply said to "EuroFora".

- Then, "Schulz agrees that the matter is possible for all only from September.

According to some Brussels' Press Reports  "Schulz ...is widely expected to trade his group's support for Barroso in exchange for the post which would see him chair the Assembly from 2012 to 2014", (See f.ex."EuroActiv", http://www.euractiv.com/en/future-eu/socialists-bid-grab-key-commission-portfolios/article-183727 ).

Wide speculations guess that a  "technical agreement" might support for EU Parliament's President an EPP/ChristianDemocrat candidate, (Polish Jerzy Buzek or Italian Mario Mauro), and a Socialist or Liberal candidate, sharing the 5 years-mandate.

The winner of June 2009 EU Elections, EPP's President Joseph Daul, confirmed to "EuroFora" that, at least for the first period, EU Parliament's Presidency should go to the largest Group of MEPs : European Popular Party/ChristianDemocrats.

However, even after succeeding to be, by far, the 1st Group in EU Parliament, EPP/ChristianDemocrats have to build political Coalitions in agreement with other political parties in order to form a Mejority.

On Friday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Swedish President Fredrik Reinfeldt reportedly acknowledged that EU Parliament apparently doesn't agree on a July vote for Barroso's candidacy to the EU Commission's Presidency for 5 more years (11/2009-2014), and that it would be wiser to wait until Autumn, probably starting from September.

Daul stressed to "EuroFora" that "the essential" "Priorities" for the EPP Group are new EU Institutions and the Crisis :  I.e. to succeed into "the ratification of Lisbon Treaty and to win the fight against the Economic Crisis". 

After nearby Karlshue's German Constitutional Court's judgement on Lisbon Treaty, the obvious 1rst Urgency is for the required Constitutional Reforms to be adopted in Berlin, overcoming some reserves reportedly held by certain "Laender" (Regional States of the German Federation).

On the contrary, Daul, replying later to a participant's question, dismissed .."Burqua" (the Islamic head and corps' total veil) as an EU matter : - "It might be discussed, but it's not a current European issue".

- "Surprisingly, I saw less Head Scarfs in Turkey itself, than in some Europe's townships !", Daul smiled. "So, we'd better talk with our Turkish friends who are present here : Some of them are for, others against", he observed.

    The incoming Swedish EU Presidency (July-December 2009) may still remain in favour of Turkey's controversial EU bid, despite June 2009 EU Elections' results, but it has "very strong demands on Turkey"'s obligation to respect EU Rules, said the Head of Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, Cecilia Julin, to "EuroFora", reacting to critical Press reports.

    - "I know (that) the link is often made also to Sweden's position on Turkey"'s controversial EU bid. Indeed, "we (Swedish EU Presidency) are very much engaged in the future membership of Turkey, but not without fullfiling all the Criteria".

    - "It's very clear that we (Swedish EU Presidecny) have very Strong Demands on Turkey, in a sort of concept for Future membership of the Union, ...which will be a Long Process...", she stressed.

    This means, in particular, "the Copenhagen Criteria (on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law), and also the adaptation to the Acquis of the European Union".

     - "If you listen to what Mr. Bildt (the Swedish Foreign Minister) says on Turkey at different occasions, it's very clear : We want Turkey to become part of the Union, in the Future. But we want it to fullfil all the Criteria : The Acquis of the European Union. That's very clear", she concluded.

    The Senior Official of the Swedish Foreign Ministry was reacting to critical Press Reports, from Brussels' Journalists invited by EU Commission's secretariat to Stockholm, who claimed that Bildt was abusing of a ..."Whip" (sic !) against Cyprus, by "threatening" the presence of UNO's Peace-keeping force at the "Green line" which separates the island's Government-controlled areas from the territories occupied by Ankara's army, if Nicosia didn't accept any political solution, regardless of Turkey's demands, before the end of 2009.

        Governing AKEL Party's new Secretary General, Andros Kyprianou, reacted by declaring that no-one can threat the People of Cyprus : -"We shall decide for our Future, and nobody else",  he reportedly said, asking to "keep calm". "In order to find a Solution soon, certain basic Principles must be respected", he stressed, calling those who feel an urgency to use their influence on Turkey. Other Political Parties were more critical.

    This was a reference to recently reported statements by Turkish Minister Bagis, Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan and Turkey's National Security Council (a Military-Political body), accused to push towards a partitionist "2 States" solution, contrary to UNO SC Resolutions for Cyprus' reunification.

    December 2009 is a crucial moment for EU's appraisal of Turkey's controversial EU bid, because EU Council has decided to review then Ankara's compliance with the European position on the recognition of Cyprus' Government, which was clearly set out by an EU reply of 21 September 2005 to Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan's claims, refusing to recognize even the existence of EU Member Cyprus, in controversial statements he made to London (former EU chair) on July 29, 2005.

    EU Parliament's latest Resolution on Turkey, adopted on March 2009 in Strasbourg, warned Ankara that "the non-fulfillment of Turkey's commitments... by December 2009, may further seriously affect the process of Negotiations" with the EU.

    In practice, the issue boils down to Ankara's "embargo" against Ships and Airplanes using Cyprus' seaports or airports at the strategic EU island, which traditionaly hosts one of the World's biggest Shipping flags. EU has already "freezed" 6 relevant Chapters in EU - Turkey Negotiations since December 2006, after Ankara refused to fullfil a commitment it had undertaken when EU had decided to open controversial "accession" negotiations with Turkey, back on December 2005.

    - "As far as EU - Turkey relations are concerned, it's clear that Turkey needs to fullfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the additional Protocol (to "EC-Turkey Association Agreement"),  This is an important issue....and should be addresseed as soon as possible as it clearly affects the pace of the accession negotiations.Issues covered by the Declaration of September 2005 will continue to be followed up, and progress is urgently awaited", warned earlier in Strasbourg the out-going Czech EU Presidency (former vice-Prime Minister Alexander Vodra).

    But the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, Cecilia Julin, dismissed "interpretations" by "some" that Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was reportedly "threatening" Cyprus with consequences on the UNFICYP, if it doesn't accept any solution until December 2009, while Turkey is reportedly delaying in an attempt to impose a partitionist "2 States" solution.

    On the contrary, Julin, stressed that "Sweden has strong demands on Turkey'"s respect of "Copenhagen Criteria and EU Acquis".

    Meanwhile, Sweden  is "concerned" about the risk of "Stalemate" in Cyprus' Talks, but is well aware that "the main responsibilities lie with the two leaders and the UNO", Europe playing only a role of "facilitator".

    After carefully verifying, the Head of Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, stressed to "EuroFora" that Bildt's reference to UNFICYP "was not linked to a Threat", and dismissed those who "interpreted" it so.

    On the contrary, the Swedish EU Presidency acknowledged the fact that Peace Talks are mainly for the UN and the leaders of the Cypriot communities, EU's role being limited into that of a "facilitator".

    As for Turkey's reported attempts to impose a "2 States' solution", the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service sharply replied by stressing that Turkey must respect the "EU Acquis" rules.

    In particular :

    - "Basically he (Bildt) underlined that it's the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus and the UN that have the main responsibilities for solving the problem", started to say the Swedish Senior Official to "EuroFora", referring to the above-mentioned "briefing".

    - "But the EU had a role in sort of pointing out the benefits and facilitating a little bit the outcome for the settlement of the whole Cyprus' issue", she added.

    - "And he did state the Fact, that the rest of the World (i.e. USA, etc) will, of course, look at the differend issues which are at the table, and the future of the UN Peace keeping force is part of what is at the table", she admitted.

    - "I understand that some have interpreted that as a Threat, by the Swedish Minister" "But", in reality, "it's a statement of a Fact, that, when we'll look at the differend issues, one of the issues on which we shall have to take a stand on, is the future of the UN Peace keeping force in Cyprus".

    Indeed, one of the questions usually raised for a Solution of Cyprus' issue is what International and/or European or other Guarantees, by a Peace-keeping force, might be needed afterwards, eventually for a transitory period.

    Questioned anew by "EuroFora" whether (according to critical Press Reports) this could be taken as a veiled warning that, if Cyprus didn't accept any Turkish demand for any solution whatever, it might be left alone to face Ankara's Military Invasion/Occupation, she denied :

    - "He (Bildt) didn't say it in that way"... "It was not linked to a threat, or anything like that", the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service stressed.

    On the contrary, "he (Bildt) underlined that the main responsibility lies with the parties concerned on the island". "The EU can try to facilitate and show the benefits of reaching a settlement. But also, when the EU and the rest of the World (i.e. USA) will have to look at it, they will look at all the Facts on the table, and the presence of the UN Peace-keeping force is one".

    And "he (Bildt) didn't speak about that at all", she replied to "EuroFora" question on Turkey's reported attemps to impose, in one way of another, a partitionist "2 States solution".

    Asked whether Bildt's aim was to incite both parties to move forward efficiently, she agreed :

    - In fact, "the EU is really very concerned with the Stalemate in the situation. Yes !", the Head of Sweden's Foreign Ministry's Press Service anounced. That's why Bildt "was hoping for the two parties (i.e. for Turkey's also) to engage and break, a little-bit, the present stalemate, come to a solution of the issue" of Cyprus.

    But, replying  to a "EuroFora"s question on the risk, denounced by several politicians in case of strict Time Deadlines, for Turkey to provoke a stalemate and wait for the time to come to impose a partitionist "2 States' solution", she reacted by pointing at Turkey's obligation to respect "EU Acquis" :

    - "Turkey must fullfil the EU Acquis : That's clear !", the Swedish Senior Official stressed.

    More details are expected when Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt will debate his Programme with new MEPs at EU Parliament's plenary mid-July in Strasbourg, that he has visited already in 2008.

    Foreign Minister Carl Bildt became familiar with Strasbourg's CoE last year, when Sweden chaired the PanEuropean organization of Human Rights. As EU chairman-in-office, he will also chair the 27-member States strong EU Group inside the 47-member States strong CoE.

    Minister for EU affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom is well known at EU Parliament, where she has been an active MEP of the Liberal Group for many years, following also Press Freedom issues.

    Both have already made various statements at "EuroFora", on differend topical matters.

 

Paradoxically, at Europe's outskirts, displaced People, obliged to flee their Homes and ancestral land, hindered to return and/or get restitution or compensation for their private and family properties, among "frozen" conflicts, suffer longer than elsewhere in the World, since in far away and poorer countries striken by bloody conflicts in the Past, refugees and IDPs often return and progressively recuperate their belongings, denounced UNO Secretary General's Envoy on Displaced persons, Professor Walter Kaelin from Switzerland, to "EuroFora".

    UNO's Envoy revealed that the oldest and still remaining unsolved problems of Refugees/IDPs concern Europe, starting from Cyprus since UNO was founded :

    Curiously, "outside Europe, very often, Solutions allow People to go back". On the contrary, "it's very much in Europe, where we have such protracted situations", he stressed.

    - "That's why it's so important to address the root causes", and find political solutions respecting IDP's Human Rights. We cannot go on for ever like this".

    - "Unfortunately, over the Last Years, the situation of internal Displacement in Europe has continued to remain Stagnant. Europe continues to have more than 2,5 million IDPs, mainly in Caucasus, the Balkans, Turkey and Cyprus", he denounced earlier at CoE's Assembly.  

    - "What us even more Worrying  : 99% of them find themselves in situations of Protracted Displacement, having fled their Homes some 15 to 35 Years ago, as a result of Conflicts", he observed.

    In this context, UNO's Envoy stressed that Displaced People's Voices must he heard during Peace-Talks, according to General Principles explained in a UNO Book due to be published on December 2009.
    
    The move came after a fresh CoE Resolution and Debate on Refugees and Displaced Persons' Human Rights, and efforts to find Peace Solutions in protracted Conflicts, drafted by Brittish Conservative MEP John Greenway.

    - "What is important is that the Displaced persons have a Voice", Kalin told "EuroFora" from the outset.

    - "It doesn't necessarily mean that they sitting at the Negotiating Table, which is usually for the Politicians. But it does mean that their Voice must be heard", he explained.

    - "For instance : Today, do they want to return ?  What do they think it's to be done to restore Justice ?  What they think it should be done to address Property issues ? etc.

    - "So, one should consult the internally Displaced persons (IDPs)", on "how do they see the way towards a Peace Agreement.  And what would they say on their Rights, is to be brought to the Table to negotiate".

    - "They should not be left out (of the Peace Talks) ! That's the basic idea", he stressed.

    UNO's Representative was replying to a "EuroFora's" question on whether and how Refugees and Displaces persons could participate "in Peace Talks" as he had evoked earlier as a matter of general principle on UNO's new trends.

    - "What we are preparing at  UNO, is a Manual for Mediators in Peace Talks". It will explain "how Displaced persons can be integrated into Peace Talks and Peace Agreements", he anounced.  UNO's Book will be "building up on best practices and examples which already exist, and will explain, in simple steps, how this could be done".   

 - "It will be published during the course of December" 2009, (i.e., by coincidence, at a crucial turning point for some on-going Talks, f.ex. on Cyprus)..   

 In fact, it's all '"my Mandate" that "has been focusing on how to tackle the problem that IDPs are often not involved in Peace processes, or that they become object of political manipulation", he observed.  

 Kaelin also acknowledged that the Drama of People becoming Refugees or Displaced persons often affects many Generations, not only on their Homes and Properties, but also "on their Health", "Education", etc. : - "Yes, of course. These are Real Problems. Especially regarding Children" of Refugees/IDPs, he agreed with "EuroFora".     

F.ex. the drama of 3rd generation IDPs, Children obliged to grow up without ever seeing  their Grandmother or Grandfather because they have died too early from a shaken health provoked by manifold consequences of their enforced displacement. 

 

( CoE's Chairwoman on Refugees, ChristianDemocrat/EPP Dutch MEP Corian Joncker : -"Behind Refugees' Numbers there are Human Persons, with their History and sufferings")
***

 -  "But during the time People have to wait for Political Solutions, they should be allowed to have normal lives.; They should not be kept in a very bad, precarious situation", Kalin added.

    Because, "even in the absence of Peace Agreements, much can be done to improve the situation of IDPs. In particular, it's important to accept that.. they do not loose their Right to Liberty of Movement, and Freedom to choose their Residence, (as guaranteed by Article 2 of Protocol No 4 to the European Convention on Human Rights). This means that IDPs have a Right to return to their Homes", he stressed earlier.

    Meanwhile, "a Displaced person's decision to reintegrate (locally) must Never be viewed as a Renunciation of the Right to Return. Rather, succesful local integration can avoid protracted displacement and dependency syndroms, and prepare IDPs for an eventual Successful Return", he said.

    + When "protection of Property left behind, and ultimately its Restitution or Compensation, are often ignored", this "remains a serious source of Grievance, and a Trigger-point for Future Conflict", UNO's representative warned.

    Refugees Human Rights to return and/or to their Homes and Properties must be protected in any Political Solution, in order to be sustainable, including their Safety by investigating and bringing to Justice perpetrators of Crimes eventually committed against "MISSING" People, stresses the CoE Report adopted this week by CoE Assembly.  

 The Report on "Human Rights of long-term Displaced People in Europe", mainly aims to usefully link Human Rights' respect and Solution of "Frozen Conflicts", and that's why it was discussed during June's CoE Assembly's Plenary, which focused on the struggle "against Impunity", said to "EuroFora" the President of the competent Committee, ChristianDemocrat Dutch MEP Mrs Corian Joncker.

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    - Expressing "Concern over the Unresolved situation of Displaced persons", CoE's Resolution "asks on Governments to seek Durable Solutions", and "to guarantee their Rights under CoE's relevant provisions (on Human Rights) and in line with the UNO's Guiding Principles on internal Displacement", drafted at nearby Geneva by Professor Pinheiro.

    - "Competent Authorities have the primary Duty and responsibility to establish conditions... that allow IDPs to Return voluntarily, in Safety and with Dignity to their Homes or places of usual residence.. Transitional Jusctice measures have to be established to address wrongs suffered (including Arbitrary Displacement) and Perpetrators of International Crimes have to be brought to Justice", CoE's Resolution stresses from the outset.

    - "IDP's Right to Return, .. as well as their ..Freedom or Movement deriving from International and Regional Human Rights Law, must be unconditionally observed and ensured, by all responsible Authorities. This requires that potential returnees are guaranteed Security, which, in turn, underlines the importance of bringing those who caused the Displacement to Justice", says CoE's Rapporter, British Conservative MEP John Greenway

     F.ex., "more than 30 Years after having been displaced, up to 201.000 People continue to be internally displaced in the area under the control of the Government of Cyprus", and "are still unable to take back possession of the Property they forcibly left behind, or to return to their Homes". Meanwhile, "excavations,exhumations and identifications are ongoing" about "Missing persons", "But Investigations as to the Conditions (in which) they disappeared and/or they perished, have Not begun", Greenway's Report denounces.

    In such cases, "property remains the main outstanding issue for Displaced persons", he observes. Illegal sales or changes on Refugees' Properties in the Turkish Occupied Territories "have complicated matters further": "In 2006, the Republic of Cyprus passed a Law making the purchase, rent and sale of property owned by Greek Cypriots in the Occupied part, without the consent of the registered owner, a Crime. Displaced persons have applied to domestic and International Courts to assert their Rights". After ECHR's judgements condemning Turkey, "on March 2006, the T/C leadership established an "immovable Property Commission", whose "effectiveness and adequacy ..is not recognized by the Government of Cyprus", and "is still being examined by the ECHR", whose "decision ..is pending".

    Meanwhile, a "Landmark Judgement, regarding the Property Rights of Greek Cypriots, in relation to their properties in the Occupied part of Cyprus which are illegally sold to Foreign Nationals, was issued on the 28th of April 2009 by the Court of Justice of the European Communities". "The (EU) Court said .. that a Judgement of a Court in the Republic of Cyprus must be recognized and enforced by the other (EU) Member States, even if it concerns land situated in the northern part of the island", Greenway's Report underlines on Orams'' case, 2 British buyers of Greek Cypriot Refugees' homes.

    As a matter of general principle, CoE's Resolution "warns that neglecting the Interests of IDPs carries a real Political Risk that the Frozen Conflicts associated with them can re-ignite at any time".

    That's why, CoE's "Assembly recommends (CoE's) Committee of Ministers", "to seek New Political Impetus for finding Peaceful durable Solutions, including the voluntary and informed Return of Displaced Persons to their places of origin", and "urge all CoE Member States to uphold the International Law Principles of State Sovereignity and Territorial Integrity of Member States".

    Refugees and Displaced persons must be "involved .. in all relevant Steps leading to durable Solutions regarding them", and Governments should "work out, together with the IDPs", "to ensure their Safety and Security, .. particularly at locations of Return", and "pursue .. Reconciliation.. by fostering a .. climate of Respect, Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, and by Investigating and bringing to Justice Perpretrators of Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and Inter-Ethnic Violence", Resolution adds.

    "To strengthen... Stability", "all CoE's Member States" are "invited" by PACE's Resolution "to support the ... Voluntary Return" of Refugees, and "to Restitute Property or occupancy/Tenancy Rights, and/or provide Prompt, Effective and Fair Compensation, to the extend that Restitution is not possible, as well as "repair or rebuild restituted Houses, or construct alternative(s)".
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CoE's moves on Refugees' Properties
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    Meanwhile, the President of CoE Assembly's Population and Refugees' Committee, Dutch ChristianDemocrat MEP Mrs Corian Joncker, said to "EuroFora" that a New Report on Refugees and IDP's Properties, drafted by Danish Liberal MEP Jorgen Poulsen, should be adopted by the Committee "during late Autumn 2009".

    CoE's Rapporteur himself, speaking to "EuroFora", revealed that the Report, based on the famous New UNO "Pinheiro principles", (from the famous UNO Rapporteur on Refugees' Human Rights), "has just started to be Drafted, in parallel with a Study by an Expert".

    Chairwoman Joncker suggested to the Head of Cyprus' Delegation, MEP Georgiou, Chair of the National Parliament's Committee on Refugees, to co-organize, together with the CoE, a PanEuropean meeting of her Committee on Population and Migration "in Cyprus", during which it might also advance, (fex. with a Hearing, etc), its forthcoming Report on Refugees' Properties restitution.
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CoE to promote PanEuropean Refugees' Collective Organisation
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     Meanwhile, a New CoE proposal to facilitate all European Refugees to meet and collectively organise the defence of their Rights, curiously attracted Turkish MEPs' opposal :

    CoE's Resolution calls "to bring together Representatives of IDPs from accross Europe, in order for them to share and learn from their different experiences".

     CoE's Assembly earlier rejected an attempt by 5 Turkish MEPs  to "delete" that reference.

    - "NGOs can organise such (PanEuropean Refugees') meetings", observed MEPs from other Countries. CoE already has a Forum for International/European NGOs, which holds its session parallel to CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, under its current President Mr. Heydt, from Strasbourg.