Finally, Some People in the EU with Sympathy for the Oppressed People of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

As you probably all know, S. Cyprus has been trying to keep up a blockade of the Turkish Cypriots so as not to lose any bargaining chips for a possible future agreement. They have blocked any EU aid to N. Cyprus (which the EU had promised them). Now, finally, some EU countries have decided that it might be a good idea not the continue the unfair situation in Cyprus. Sweden, Estonia, and Belgium have all adopted a tough stance towards S. Cyprus's proposal that more Turkish accenssion topics be shelved, and then followed that up by backing a document that would pave the way for direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots. Sweden and Estonia also have expressed a wish to open up representative bureaus on the north side of the island. The office Estonia will open is supposed to be like the representative offices countries have in Taiwan. Estonia even went so far as to say they want to help Turkish Cyprus get international recognition. In addition, German Foreign Minister Steinmeier expressed his commitment to beginning direct trade with N. Cyprus during Germany's term as EU president. Also, apparently the Foreign Minister of S. Cyprus went ballistic when the British Foreign Minister referred to the "Northern Cypriot Turkish Republic." Finally, some developments in the EU I like.

Some links:

Hurriyet English on Estonia and Sweden

JTW News on Estonia

Hurriyet English on tension at metting