Brussel opent kantoor in Turks-Cyprus (en)

Following the EU pledge on Monday to release 259 million euro of financial aid directly to Northern Cyprus, the European Commission is planning to open a representation in the Turkish side to monitor the flow and implementation of EU funds.

The EU announced on Monday that it would seek ways to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community, which is not internationally recognised, after a UN plan aimed at reunifying the island was rejected by Greek Cypriots last Saturday.

The rejection of the plan means that from 1 May, EU law will only apply to the Greek Cypriot part, leaving the northern part short of EU membership benefits.

Speaking in the European parliament on Tuesday (27 April), enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen denied that the setting up of such an office in the north would amount to the formal recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

"Co-operation with an authority which runs a territory does not mean diplomatic recognition", Mr Verheugen told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee this morning.

Mr Verheugen also said that the European Commission is trying to find ways so that goods and people would still be able to cross the "Green Line" which separates the Greek Cypriot side from the Turkish Cypriot side, and which will become a de facto EU external border after 1 May.

Movement across the Green Line will be discussed by EU ambassadors in Brussels on Wednesday.