B3-1436, 1462, 1469, 1486 and 1491/93

Resolution on an EC observer to the intercommunal talks on Cyprus

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to its previous resolutions on Cyprus,

B.having regard to its resolution of 12 September 1991 in which it 'considers that the lack of involvement of the European Community in finding a solution to the Cyprus question is incomprehensible',

C.noting the UN Secretary-General's intention to report to the Security Council in mid-November in order to make progress in the inter-communal talks,

D.whereas the Commission states in its opinion on the application of Cyprus for membership of the EC that the UN Secretary-General is aware that he can count on the Community's support in his endeavours to produce a political settlement of the Cyprus question,

E.whereas, according to the Commission's opinion on Cyprus's application, the situation should be reassessed in January 1995 in the light of the positions adopted by each party in the intercommunal talks,

F.noting that the Council at its October meeting supported the Commission and concluded that it will indeed examine in January 1995 the accession of Cyprus in the light of the positions to be expressed by each side in the intercommunal talks,

G.noting that its delegation to the EC/Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee, at its meeting of 16 September 1993, adopted a proposal that the Community should have its own observer at the intercommunal talks,

H.whereas the Council has indicated that it may consider as early as the beginning of November whether or not to send an EC observer to the intercommunal talks,

1.Calls on the Council to decide in the affirmative and to take immediately the necessary steps to send an observer of appropriate standing to the intercommunal talks under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General;

2.Stresses that the appointment of this observer indicates the great interest the EC and its Member States attach to a settlement of the Cyprus problem through the success of the intercommunal talks; insists that the Council should report to the Parliament on the mandate given to the observer;

3.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, the governments of the Member States, the Government of Cyprus, the Government of Turkey, the participants in the inter-communal talks and the UN Secretary-General.