Akıncı calls for more progress in talks
President Mustafa Akıncı has stated that it is not possible to make progress in the negotiations by discussing the same issues again and again, adding that the four chapters should be discussed with the support of the UN.
President Mustafa Akıncı made the statement on his return from the four-hour-long meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades.
The President said that that the leaders mainly discussed the issues related to active participation in decision making, however he stressed that some divergences remain. Akıncı said “It is not possible to make a progress by July if talks continue like this.”
Stating that the UN must carry out shuttle diplomacy between the sides without making official proposals and without taking on a mediatory role in order to get a result as soon as possible, Akıncı said that new tensions may arise in case of the Greek Cypriots’ latest natural gas exploration project in July.
President Akıncı also indicated that there has been no progress on the rotating presidency, which is one of the important issues for the Turkish Cypriots.
The President expressed that the TRNC had declared that it will not leave the table because of the negative attitude of the Greek Cypriot side. He added that the TRNC wants to see the goodwill of the Greek Cypriot side to find a positive outcome to the talks, instead of losing the chance for a solution to be reached.
Regarding the Greek Cypriot media’s efforts to create an optimistic atmosphere about the negotiation process, Akıncı warned that this optimism does not reflect the reality of the situation.
The President departed for İstanbul today, in order to hold a conference on the Cyprus negotiations process on Thursday, the 4th of May at the Istanbul University’s Faculty of Political Science. On Saturday the 6th of May, he will deliver the opening speech at the Global Leaders Forum at Bahçeşehir University as the honorary guest.
President Akıncı is expected to return to the island on Sunday the 7th of May.
Ertuğruloğlu: “Current negotiations do not point towards equality”
In his speech at the TRNC Assembly yesterday, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu stated that the current on-going negotiations do not point to equality for the TRNC.
Ertuğruloğlu said that it is natural for the Turkish Cypriot people to demand compromise because it is the Turkish Cypriot people who were ousted from the partnership, denied of their identity rights, forced into isolation and who suffered from long-standing embargoes.
Ertuğruloğlu stressed that agreements are made between equals, but that the current negotiations did not point to equality; rather a false and misleading form of equality.
Ertuğruloğlu explained that the Greek Cypriot side used the advantages of recognition, presenting the Turkish Cypriot side as a minority to the world. He added that concessions should be made for reaching an agreement and that the Greek Cypriot side is not forced into a position to make these concessions, as a result of its international recognition.
Ertuğruloğlu expressed his belief that reaching an agreement in the current negotiation process, which the two sides would accept and which would be based on equality, would not be possible.
The Minister said that as long as the Greek Cypriots were recognized as the ‘Republic of Cyprus’ and the Turkish Cypriots were seen as an ‘ethnic minority’, the only possible outcome from the negotiations would be the achievement of minority rights. He stressed that only a negotiation process between two equals could be successful.
Ertuğruloğlu holds conference in İstanbul
Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu will hold a conference entitled “The latest developments in the Cyprus Negotiations” at İstanbul Arel University today.
The conference, which was organized by İstanbul Arel University Student Council, will take place at the Tepekent Campus Conference Hall later today.
Ertuğruloğlu will speak to the students about the history of the Cyprus problem, and the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations.
TRNC to host 9th Para-Athletics
The TRNC is preparing to host the 9th Para-Athletics. The 9th Para-Athletics will be held in Lefkoşa on 4 and 5 May. Athletes from Turkey and the UK will participate in the games, as well as TRNC athletes.
There are 450 students studying with special educational needs at elementary schools in the TRNC.
The Para-Athletics have been organised in order to promote health and wellbeing among differently-abled students. The games are designed to improve sports skills, tackle behavioural problems, and to develop self-confidence.
The Para- Athletics which started in 2009, have gained an international status with the participation of Turkey and the UK from 2011 to the present day. Azerbaijani athletes have also been taking part in the games since 2013.
Near East University wins ‘Technology Leadership’ Award
The Near East University was awarded with the Technology Leadership Award for its projects in the areas of information, communication and innovation.
The Technology Leadership Award from Priştene AAB University, which is one of the largest universities in Kosovo, was awarded to Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Near East University, at the 7th World Conference on Education Technologies and Computer Science.
Emphasising that the achievements of Near East University in the fields of communication, knowledge and innovation should be regarded as solid examples in the education world, Kosovo Minister of Education, Science and Technology Dr. Arsim Bajrami congratulated Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel for the success of NEU.
Final International University joins the International Universities Search and Rescue Games Council (IUSARC)
The Final International University has become a member of the International Universities Search and Rescue Games Council (IUSARC).
The Final International University, which attend the general assembly of the council between the dates of 24-26 April, became a member of the council as a result of a ballot. As a result, the university will participate in the international activities of the council over the coming years.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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