17/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Further to an oral question from the committee on petitions of the European Parliament, which wanted to know how, within the framework of its efforts to put an end to the commercial isolation of Northern Cyprus, the EU also intends to ensure that Greek Cypriots are enabled to return to the town of Varosha (which has been deserted since occupation by the Turkish army in 1974), Commissioner Olli Rehn told the EP on Thursday that these (the reunification of the island and the opening of direct trade) were two "separate issues". The resumption of direct trade with the Turkish part of Cyprus is a "European issue", whereas Varosha depends on the UN and the resolution of the issue of Cyprus in general, said Mr Rehn. He also pointed out that the swift return of the inhabitants to the town was contained under the Annan plan rejected by the Greek Cypriots in April 2004. The formula now proposed by the Finnish Presidency of the EU to put an end to the commercial isolation of the Turkish Cypriot part of the island and to resolve the problem of extending the EU/Turkey customs union to Cyprus also contains a prospect for the Cypriots to return to Varosha (under the aegis of the UN) and to open the port of Famagusta, said Mr Rehn. Agreeing to this plan "would be a way to build confidence towards a global solution, and thus also a prospect for a return to Varosha". All MEPs stressed the need to put an end to an untenable situation as quickly as possible and to allow the inhabitants to return home. (hb)