Doc. 10499

11 April 2005

Cyprus: towards a resumption of talks on the basis of the “Annan Plan”

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Jurgens and others

The Parliamentary Assembly, recalling its Resolutions 1376 (2004), 1362 (2004), 1333 (2003) and 1267 (2002) and its Recommendations 1642 (2004) and 1608 (2003), reiterates its appeal to the Committee of Ministers to envisage a more active contribution on the part of the Council of Europe to the search for a settlement, and calls on Greek and Turkish Cypriots to resume talks on that basis.

In view of the widely recognized expertise of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), the Assembly invites this body to provide an independent analysis of the Annan Plan from the point of view of applicable European standards in the field of constitutional law, international public law and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Such a well-balanced legal analysis could contribute to further dispelling any mutual suspicions as well as preconceived opinions regarding the content of the “Annan Plan” and thereby facilitate the resumption of talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, with the involvement of the Council of Europe, and further facilitate both sides to agree on such amendments of the “Annan Plan” as may be deemed necessary.

Signed ¹:

JURGENS, Erik, Netherlands, SOC

AGER, Hans, Austria, EPP/CD

BEMELMANS-VIDEC, Marie-Louise, Netherlands, EPP/CD

BINDIG, Rudolf, Germany, SOC

BRUCE, Malcolm, United Kingdom, LDR

EXNER, Václav, Czech Republic, UEL

FRUNDA, György, Romania, EPP/CD

GREBENNIKOV, Valery, Russia, EDG

GROSS, Andreas, Switzerland, SOC

SEVERIN, Adrian, Romania, SOC

VAREIKIS, Egidijus, Lithuania, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group