Swedish FM supports ending isolation of TRNC

Carl Bildt, the foreign minister of Sweden , which now holds the EU's rotating term presidency, yesterday expressed support for Turkey 's stance that the isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be ended. Turkey says if the isolation of the TRNC is ended, it will open its ports to Greek Cypriot ships. Speaking to the European Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, Bildt cited how in 2004, the EU promised to allow the TRNC to conduct direct trade if the Turkish Cypriots accepted the UN plan to solve the Cyprus issue, which they did. He said during Sweden 's term presidency, they will evaluate all EU decisions and promises and seek ways to fulfill the bloc's obligations. He also said comprehensive negotiations between Turkish and Greek Cypriots to solve the Cyprus issue are continuing under UN auspices and parameters, ruling out any EU role in this process. He also pledged fair treatment of Turkey 's EU accession bid during Sweden 's term presidency, adding that all EU members agreed to start accession negotiations with Turkey . Bildt's remarks came in response to criticisms from Greek and Greek Cypriot members of the committee.