Brussels, 07/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - The Cypriot authorities have rejected demands by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (the separatist part of the island that is only recognised by Ankara) to obtain between two and ten Cypriot seats at the next European Parliament. A group of Turkish Cypriots living in London threatened to take the case to the European Court of Justice if they did not obtain a hearing for their request. If this happens, they will call for the European elections in Cyprus to be cancelled. A 2004 decision by the Council has set the number of Cypriot MEPs at six and points out that the elections cannot be organised in the Northern part of the island where the “government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise any effective control”. A comprehensive resolution on the Cypriot question before the June elections is the only effective way of allowing Turkish Cypriots taking part. In the meantime, it will only be the parties from the Southern part of the island which will be taken into account in the European elections. (Y.P./transl.rh)