A/HRC/10/37 page 9 trade with those areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control (the “direct trade regulation”) is still pending adoption in the Council of Ministers of the European Union. III. CONCLUSION 24. The persisting de facto partition of the island of Cyprus continues to constitute an obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights. It is hoped that the new momentum to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem will provide avenues to improve the human rights situation on the island, and that relevant stakeholders will actively contribute to achieving enhanced human rights protection and promotion. -----