asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of Cyprus and its products in regard to the European Economic Community.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cyprus Trade with EEC.
17.
Relations between the European Economic Community and Cyprus are governed by the 1972 agreement establishing an association between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cyprus, which came into effect on 1 June 1973. The association agreement provided for two successive stages of association. The first, providing for development projects and tariff concessions, was to last until 30 June 1977.
Following the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus in 1974, after a coup on the island supported by the then Greek colonels regime, the Turkish Cypriots declared Northern Cyprus to be the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus", which however is officially recognised only by Turkey. The Government of Cyprus administers the larger southern part of the island and is recognised by Ireland and its Community partners as the sole legitimate government on the island.
In view of the political situation on the island during this period it was not possible to introduce the second stage of the association agreement, providing for transition to a customs union and consequently the first stage was extended by protocol first until 31 December 1979 and then until 1980. The political situation on Cyprus has improved somewhat with the 1980 inter-communal talks organised by the United Nations. Partly as a result of these talks the EEC—Cyprus Association Council adopted a decision on 24 November 1980 on the process into the second stage of the association agreement. The first part of this process was agreed in a protocol signed on 18 March 1981 and the aim is to extend until the end of 1981 the arrangements applied in 1980 to EEC-Cyprus relations. In the field of trade, this means that the concessions made by the Community to Cyprus will not be altered and that no additional tariff reduction will be requested of Cyprus during the application of the new protocol.
In accordance with the Association decision, negotiations will now take place to work out the trade arrangements to apply in 1982 and 1983. In 1982 both parties will begin negotiations on the conditions and procedures leading to the customs union.
It is hoped that the EEC-Cyprus Association Agreement will now develop as was originally intended. The Community has made it clear that it seeks to ensure that the benefits arising from the agreement should reach both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. This position has been accepted by both sides in Cyprus.
Could the Minister say if Cyprus has any preferential treatment as regards imports into the EEC as a result of the accession of Greece to the EEC?
No. Whatever advantage she has, she has it under the arrangements she has already made with the EEC.
Are these advantages normal for third countries or are they quite abnormal?
No. They are normal having regard to potatoes which in her situation would be more important than other products but it is basically as a result of the agreement which came into effect in 1973. It is as a result of that that whatever preference potatoes have vis-à-vis Cyprus and the Community operate, but it has nothing to do with Greek membership of the Community. I can assure the Deputy and the House of that.