22/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the affairs ministers of the EU adopted without debate a very brief declaration in which they commit to resume their work, "without delay", with a view to the adoption of the proposal by the Commission for a regulation on opening direct trade between the EU and northern Cyprus. This declaration was the subject of a political agreement in December, when the Council decided to freeze negotiations with Turkey on eight chapters (EUROPE 9326). In 2004, further to the defeat of the referendum on the reunification of Cyprus, the Commissioner proposed financial aid and the institution of preferential trade regimes facilitating direct exports from northern Cyprus to the EU. Aid of 259 million EUR was made available in February 2005, but the regulation on direct trade continues to be blocked by Cyprus. (hb)