MFA slams EU over unofficial working group
Date Added: 08 April 2022

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed the EU on Thursday over the creation of an informal “bi-communal” group for the Hellim Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).

According to the EU Commission, the group shall bring about an exchange of information as well as the sharing of experience and good practices among stakeholders relating to their participation in the PDO scheme for Hellim and will review the functioning of the inspection system for the traditional Cypriot cheese.

The Ministry on Thursday issued a statement slamming the EU for what it said was its attempts to intervene in the TRNC’s domestic affairs.

“The EU believes that it can intervene in the internal affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) by creating an informal working group, going as far as appointing the Turkish Cypriot members of the working group,” the statement read.

It reminded that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu had brought to the public’s attention in a statement issued in December 2021 that the registration process of Hellim carried the risk of entering a dangerous process after Greek Cypriot officials had been authorised to determine the process of which the cheese in the north would be inspected.

“The EU’s approach is clear, that is to exclude our competent bodies and authorities out of the process and to enable the Greek Cypriot side to decide on behalf of Turkish Cypriot producers. To carry any disputes that might arise during inspections to Greek Cypriot courts,” it read.

The statement added that it was important to point out that one of the heads of the informal working group will be the EU Commission for Health and Food Safety Greek Cypriot commissioner Stella Kyriakides.

“The EU believes that the Turkish Cypriot people are desperate and in need of the bloc. This perception must change immediately and the necessary steps taken,” the foreign ministry statement said.

The TRNC Foreign Ministry said that this latest development once again demonstrated the importance for the recognition of the TRNC’s sovereign equality and equal international status.