TRNC News Today -17th April 2013

EROĞLU MEETS WITH LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES

TRNC President, Derviş Eroğlu, met with leaders and representatives of political parties represented in the TRNC General Assembly for the purpose of giving information and exchanging views on the latest developments in Cyprus.

Leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and the TRNC Prime Minister, Irsen Küçük, expressed that the preparation for the restarting of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem have been suspended for nearly a year for the reason of leadership elections held in South Cyprus, and reminded that UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor to Cyprus, Alexander Downer, is preparing to come to Cyprus for the second time in the last two months.

Stating that new leader Nikos Anastasiadis, who seeks a solution because of the economical problems experienced in South Cyprus, causes delay in negotiations by using the strategy of ‘gaining time’, Küçük reminded that although the social dinner of the leaders which was proposed by the TRNC President was refused, it was postponed, and the activity planned to be held in April was postponed to May.

PRESIDENT EROGLU: “WE WONDER HOW LONG WILL THIS INJUSTICE BE CONTINUED BY THE WORLD”

President Eroglu said that they expect the negotiations to start in May-June in spite of the Greek Cypriot side’s excuse of the economic crisis.

Eroglu indicated that, although the Greek side has always created problems and displayed an intransigent attitude, embargoes have been imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people Eroglu said : “we really wonder how long this injustice will be continued by the world.”

President Eroglu received the delegation comprised of Bursa Yenisehir District Governor, Süleyman Yilmaz, and Mayor, Hamdi Cingil, and 18 Cyprus Peace Operation veterans.

Bursa Yenisehir District Governor, Süleyman Yilmaz, who gave a speech at the meeting said that 18 Cyprus Peace Operation veterans have come to the TRNC for the first time and added that they will have some contacts during their visit.

President Eroglu said that veterans have been involved in the Cyprus struggle through the Peace Operation and added that he also has been in this struggle since he was young. Recording that difficult days were over after the 1974 Peace Operation, Eroglu added that the difficult days were not forgotten.

Eroglu also said that even if the TRNC is being recognized only by Turkey, the TRNC has everything that a State has. Eroglu stressed that UN Security Council’s resolution which says that the TRNC is not to be recognized and ‘Unity of the Republic of Cyprus should be protected’ was a wrong resolution.

PRESIDENT EROGLU: “SUPPORT OF TURKISH STATES IS EMPOWERING”

Journalists from Azerbaijan who are invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are paying visits to State and Government officials in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Within this framework the Azerbaijan journalists were received by President Derviş Eroğlu.

Receiving the journalists from Azerbaijan, President Derviş Eroğlu underlined the importance of informing the Azerbaijani people about the Cyprus Issue.

He said that he was proud and happy to see other Turkish States, besides Turkey, extending its support to the Turkish Cypriot people.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side had started using the economic crisis in South Cyprus as an excuse to postpone the negotiation process, Eroğlu said that he believed the talks would restart sometime this year. “But whether or not we can reach a solution after 45 years of negotiations, we shall see once the talks resume” he added.

Meanwhile the common message given by the Azerbaijan journalist delegation was for the development of relations between the two countries as Turkey, the TRNC and Azerbaijan are brother nations.

KUCUK AND OZGURGUN RECEIVED JOURNALISTS FROM AZERBAIJAN

Journalists from Azerbaijan are paying visits to state and government officials in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun received the journalists and authorities from Azerbaijan yesterday who have arrived in the TRNC as guests of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his speech made at the Prime Ministry Lounge, Kucuk expressed his happiness to meet the representatives and journalists of Azerbaijan.

Moreover, The Minister of Foreign Affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun said during his reception that the TRNC and Azerbaijan are brother nations and our relation with Azerbaijan is developing from day to day.

Ozgurgun also expressed his love and respect for the Azerbaijan people.

MINISTER OF FINANCE TATAR REACTS TO THE SELLING OF 14 TONS OF GOLD RESERVE BY SOUTH CYPRUS

Showing a reaction to the selling by the Greek Cypriot Administration of 14 tons gold reserve which was brought to the Cyprus Central Bank in 1960, TRNC Minister of Finance Ersin Tatar asked:” Whose property are the Greek Cypriots selling to whom?”

Rustem Tatar who was the Comptroller General of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960 and the Minister of Finance between the years 1967-1976 said in his statement that; “The Turkish Cypriots have a right over every property having an economic value which belongs to the Republic of Cyprus”.

Minister of Finance Ersin Tatar, in his statement through the Ministry press office reminded that the Republic of Cyprus was established on the basis of 70% Greek Cypriots and 30% Turkish Cypriots partnership and he stressed that the Turkish Cypriots have a right over every property having an economic value which belongs to Republic of Cyprus.

FIRST TOURIST GROUP FROM DENMARK IN CYPRUS

Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture realized its aim of bringing tourists from Scandinavian countries by chartered services targeted for 2013 and the first tourist group from Denmark arrived at the TRNC through Ercan Airport the night before.

According to the information given by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture Press Office, the tourist group came to the TRNC through the travel agency named ‘Turistrejser’ which AkimaTravel has opened in Copenhagen, capital of Denmark. 189 passengers have arrived at Ercan Airport by the first chartered service realized from Copenhagen.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office