A/HRC/10/37 page 8 The European Commission has unsuccessfully urged the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to take a more flexible approach to the issue of the participation of Turkish Cypriots in this programme. To compensate for the lack of mobility that would be offered by the Erasmus programme, the Commission has, under the EU aid programme, set up a community scholarship scheme for the Turkish Cypriot community, allowing students and teachers to spend one year abroad at an EU university or higher education institution.26 21. There have been no further developments on the establishment of a Turkish-language primary school in Limassol, to which the Greek Cypriot side had committed in March 2005. On 26 March 2008, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Cyprus rejected the lawsuit filed by the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Trade Union, arguing that the Republic of Cyprus had made adequate provisions for the education of Turkish-speaking children through the existing school system and citing the lack of interest from the Turkish-speaking community in Limassol.27 22. The preservation, protection and physical restoration of the cultural heritage on the island is being discussed within the framework of the ongoing negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. With regard to freedom of movement and worship, the two sides have yet to agree on the modalities to allow free access to sites and icons of religious and cultural significance. They continue to seek UNFICYP facilitation. Concerns remain over obstruction to access to religious sites and commemorative events, as was the case in September 2008, when the Turkish Cypriot side denied use of the Limnits/Yeşilirmak crossing point to members of the Greek Cypriot community of Kato Pyrgos who wished to attend the planned annual prayers at Ayios Mamas church.28 23. There continue to be issues between the two communities in the area of economic rights. Although the EU aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, which seeks to encourage economic development in the northern part of the island, has continued, its implementation faces challenges, inter alia in relation to cooperation between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.29 The regulation proposed by the European Commission on special conditions for 26 Information received from the Task Force for the Turkish Cypriot Community, Directorate-General for Enlargement, European Commission. 27 S/2008/353, para. 28 and S/2008/744, para. 31. 28 S/2008/744, paras. 34 and 35. 29 Second Annual Report 2007 on the implementation of Community assistance under Council Regulation (EC) No. 389/2006 of 27 February 2006 establishing an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, COM(2008) 551 final.

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