Cyprus The Upcoming British Presidency of EU

Agios Amvrosios · instructor

Will The British Presidency assist in a solution to the Cyprus problem?
Personally I think that any involvement will need to be very delicately handled as both sides are weary of interested third parties unleashing pressure, threats and blackmail. Recent results indicate that the pressure magnafies insecurities producing the opposite result. Maybe this has to do with the Psychology of T-Pap.

Do you think Straw and Blair will stuff it up with heavy handedness?

-mikkie2- · lecturer

I think the British presdency will have to tread carefully. It has the potential for screwing up a lot of things. I think the Brits may not be as heavy handed as they say they may because they could walk away from this 6 month term with their reputation in tatters. For example, Cyprus would have a very strong case if Britain attempted to start direct trade and flights to northern Cyprus. We could end up seeing Cyprus taking Britain to the European Court of Justice. You could also see the polarisation of views within the EU, one camp supporting the Turkish view the other the Greek Cypriot view. The EU works by consensous of opinion and as such you will not see one group of member states going against the other. It will all come down to a compromise.

I suspect the result of the British presidency would be the opening of Famagusta port under joint GC/TC control overseen by the EU and Varosha being handed back to GC's. The issue of direct flights will not be resolved as this would require the explicit approval of the RoC and that just won't happen.

erolz · lecturer

-mikkie2- · lecturer

brother · professor

I see it as a time when a lot of going and coming will happen as the brits want turkey in the e.u and know that a solution is a must because of their own interests on the island, watch this space as heavy diplomacy starts when u.k becomes term presidency.

Does anyone know when/if cyprus will get a go at the presidency of e.u?

magikthrill · lecturer

2011 apparently:

Cyprus shares EU presidency in 2011
By Myria Antoniadou in Brussels
CYPRUS will hold the EU presidency together with Poland and Denmark for the 18-
month period starting in July 2011 and ending in December 2012.
The decision on which countries will be grouped together along with the periods they will
hold the presidency was taken by the permanent representatives this week, according to
sources. It has yet to be formally approved by a Council.
The new running order for the presidencies begins in January 2007, based on the
assumption that Romania and Bulgaria will be joining then and the EU constitution
stipulating for the change in the rotating presidency is approved.
In grouping, several factors - such as geographical position, economies and "old" and
"new" states balance - were taken into consideration. How each group divides the
leadership work depends on the countries involved, one source said.
It could either be by giving the lead to each of the three states for six months or by
delegating work according to their interests, capabilities, expertise etc.
The change in the six-month rotating presidency now used was considered necessary
after the EU enlarged from 15 to 25 states. Most governments argued it would be a very
long time until each state took over and six months was not sufficient time to implement
change.
The grouping of the presidencies, along with an increase in the period, is foreseen in the
EU constitution that has to be ratified by each member state: a task considered as quite
difficult. The Constitution also gives the European Council a permanent president for 30
months."

http://www.aloizou.com.cy/documents/Cyprus%20shares%20EU%20presidency%20in%202011.pdf

brother · professor

Thanks for that dude Smile

magikthrill · lecturer

hehe no problem. i just found out. i am actually trying to find out more info on the new presidency rules but no luck. so if you can help me id appreciate it Smile

brother · professor

Will do my best my friend. Wink

Agios Amvrosios · instructor