European parliament to soon decide on trade with TRNC

European parliamentarians are expected to decide on direct trade with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the coming months, said European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek yesterday. It is "necessary to wait a few weeks or a few months for a final result," Buzek told reporters on an official visit to Greek Cyprus, ahead of proceeding to the TRNC, to urge both sides to work hard on peace negotiations to reunify the divided island. Buzek said after talks with Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias that he believes a deal is possible, adding that the sooner a "mutually satisfactory" agreement can be reached the better, but added that both vision and pragmatism are needed. Before he proceeds to the TRNC today to meet with Turkish Cypriot President Dervis Eroglu, Buzek's office said his visit would bring a message of encouragement, support and trust in both leaders to reach a comprehensive solution. "We see the future of Cyprus as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality as defined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, making up a federal government with a single international personality for the benefit of all citizens on the island," Buzek said.