President Akıncı evaluates leaders’ meeting
President Mustafa Akıncı said that although “the equal treatment of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot citizens” and “active participation in decisions in the federal government” issues could be reasonably solved, these issues are still unsolved due to the Greek Cypriot side’s stance. “If it continues like this, it will be difficult to reach a solution” said Akıncı.
President Akıncı made a statement at the Presidency following the meeting held with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades.
In his statement, Akıncı evaluated the Navtex, or notice to mariners, issued by Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side’s decision to prevent Serbian children who arrived on the island through South Cyprus to attend the International Children’s Festival Celebrations in the TRNC.
President Akıncı stated that Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades mentioned the Navtex at the beginning of the meeting and also expressed his concerns.
Explaining why a Navtex was issued, Akıncı said, “This is due to the fact that the Greek Cypriot side is insisting on unilaterally exploring for hydrocarbon, but the Turkish Cypriots also have the right to hydrocarbon exploration in Cyprus.”
President Akıncı said that the Navtex was issued in response to unilateral steps taken by the Greek Cypriot side for the hydrocarbon exploration off the coast of the island.
Earlier this week, Turkey issued a Navtex and announced that it is sending its research and seismographic research vessel Barbaros to Cyprus, accompanied by a support vessel Bravo to carry out research in the area of Gazimağusa from 21 April until 30 June 2017.
President Akıncı has criticised the Greek Cypriot side’s decision to turn away Serbian children who arrived on the island via South Cyprus to attend the International Children’s Festival Celebrations in the TRNC.
The President said, “I want to underline this last behaviour, which has really hurt our confidence in the Greek Cypriot side. Children came to the TRNC from different parts of the world for the celebration of International Children’s Day on 23rd April. There were some children from Serbia, Russia and Lithuania among them. They were turned away from Larnaca Airport for reasons I do not understand right now. It seems that the Lithuanians had no problem with their transition to the TRNC because of their EU membership. However, it is known that Serbian and Russian children could not pass. The fact that children were prevented from attending such a day is very significant in terms of hurting the relationship of trust between our countries. It is also unfair to the children”.
Discussing the leaders’ meeting yesterday, the president said that they concentrated on two main issues at the meeting, Akıncı said that these issues were “the equal treatment of Turkish and Greek citizens” and “active participation in decisions in the federal government.”
“We have three meetings left, on 2nd, 11th and 17th of May. If we continue in this framework, unfortunately it will be difficult to reach a conclusion. I do not want to be a pessimistic and I do not want to emphasize negativity, but everybody knows that reaching a conclusion would be even more difficult after July” said President Akıncı.
Ertuğruloğlu meets Qatar Minister of Education Al-Hammadi
Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu, who held meetings in Qatar within the framework of his contact programme in Gulf countries, met with Qatar Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Wahid Al-Hammadi this week.
They discussed how the Qatar government supports its citizens in higher education, what can be done for Qatar citizens in order to encourage them to attend universities in the TRNC, and ways the TRNC can cooperate with the Qatar government.
Ertuğruloğlu gave detailed information to Al-Hammadi about the TRNC and Higher Education in the TRNC.
Pointing out that the other important area in the TRNC besides higher education is tourism, Ertuğruloğlu said that the TRNC universities will go to Qatar to promote the universities and both governments can cooperate in the promotion of tourism to the TRNC
Al- Hammadi posed questions on the economy, tourism and trade in the TRNC as well as TRNC higher education, expressing his wish to learn more about Cyprus.
Stating that over 22,000 students from the member countries of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation have come to the TRNC, Ertuğruloğlu said that the Government wants to increase the number of students from Qatar.
Indicating that the TRNC Doha Representative Office is always ready for cooperation, Ertuğruloğlu also mentioned the Cyprus problem. He said,
“The Cyprus problem is continuing and we are facing some problems in higher education, tourism and trade issues because there are no direct flights due to embargoes in the TRNC.
The negotiations have been continuing for 50 years but no success has been achieved, because, finding a solution in Cyprus does not seem possible in the current system. A solution is not possible as long as the negotiations are on-going between a ‘state’ and a ‘community’. The Greek Cypriots, have been accepted as a state, and also have the advantages of the UN and EU memberships. They see us as a minority – why should they want a solution? ”
EMU holds 2nd International Banking and Financial Perspectives Conference
The conference entitled “2nd International Banking and Financial Perspectives” organized by Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Business and Economics and the Department of Banking and Finance, will begin today with the opening speeches at Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Centre.
About 120 academicians, who are experts in banking and finance, from 15 different countries are expected to attend the conference.
“Festival of North Cyprus” to be held in London
The “Festival of North Cyprus” will take place in London between 5-6 May at the Business Design Centre in Islington. The Festival is organized by North Cyprus UK with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
Businesspeople and investors from various sectors in North Cyprus, including academia, tourism, banking, industry, airlines, construction and estate agents are expected to attend the festival.
For more information click here
Bob Geldof and his group The Boomtown Rats to play at EMU
According to the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), the EMU music club and Mağusa Music Band will take the stage at the EMU Stadium tonight within the framework of the annual “Rock’n EMU” event.
The final set of the night will be played by Bob Geldof and his group, The Boomtown Rats.
The concerts will be free of charge.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
To read more news and information from the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please click here
Pictures shown are courtesy of the TRNC Public Information Office Facebook page.
Bring on independent Northern Cyprus – it deserves to be recognised