TRNC News Today 19th April 2013

EROĞLU RECEIVED TR EU MINISTRY DELEGATION

President Dervis Eroğlu received TR EU Ministry delegation. 

Stating that TR EU Minister Egemen Bagıs referring to the Cyprus problem all the time makes him happy. President Eroğlu pointed out the importance of Cyprus being on Turkey’s agenda.

Expressing that South Cyprus joining the EU unilaterally is a mistake and some parties in the South also support this idea, Eroğlu said that the Greek Cypriot side has not  replied positively and the EU is expected to take initiative in this respect.

Commenting that a statement such as ‘lifting embargoes’ is expected from the EU,  Eroğlu said that the Greek side can come closer to an agreement in this way.

Upon being asked: “How do you evaluate imposing obligation for some non-governmental organizations in attending some meetings in Europe via Larnaca?” Eroğlu replied that if the EU sees the Turkish Cypriots as a counterpart, it has also to accept the existence of the country, direct flights and to open up the world of the Turkish Cypriots with these flights.   

President Eroğlu stressed that seeing the Turkish Cypriots as a convict of the Greek Cypriot side only serves to the uncompromising attitude of the Greek Cypriot side and the continuation of the so called ‘Republic of Cyprus’.

SPEAKER OF REPUBLIC’S ASSEMBLY BOZER AND PRIME MINISTER KUCUK RECEIVED DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF TR EU MINISTRY ERDENIR AND HIS DELEGATION

Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly, Hasan Bozer, and Prime Minister, Irsen Küçük, received the Deputy Undersecretary of TR EU Ministry, Burak Erdenir, and the accompanying delegation.

Stating that the TRNC people are also aiming to become a part of the EU with Turkey the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly, Hasan Bozer, said that although they had been trying to become a member of the EU, they had been faced with problems all the time.

Mentioning that although the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey said ‘yes’ for a solution and an agreement they had not become an EU member.  Bozer said that the world was trying to make up excuses all the time and added that unfair reasons are being put as an obstacle to North Cyprus and Turkey as the two countries believing the trueness of the EU project.

Irsen Küçük stated in the reception at 16.30 at the Prime Ministry that they were always in intense relations with the Ministry of the EU and added that these mutual contacts are important for the related people in terms of getting information.

Expressing that the TRNC parliament demanded to become not only an observer but also serve actively in the European Parliament, to be a speaker and voter, Küçük stressed that the expected decision from the EP was not issued but on the other hand a decision was taken with regard to the TRNC representatives going to the meetings via Larnaca.

Pointing out that this decision does not reflect the realities, Küçük expressed that this decision will not be taken as a certain rejection and had to be worked hard to realize it in the next period.

Expressing that the necessary precautions were to be taken especially before the general elections to be realized next year, Küçük said that legal work will be done with regard to the two representatives participating in the EU.

GAU SIGNS CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT

Girne American University (GAU) Tourism and Accommodation Faculty and the European Union and French Best Tourism and Accommodation Company La Rochelle Tourism and Business School signed a co-operation agreement and student exchange program agreement.

According to the information given by GAU, the GAU Tourism Department students will be able to have education at La Rochelle Tourism and Business School in France and the students of  this school will be able to continue their education at GAU.

‘OBSERVER STATUS’ OF TRNC DEPENDS ON PRESIDENCY COUNCIL DECISION

The European Parliament General Council approved 2012 Turkey Progressive Report with 451 votes against 75 votes.

The proposal to give ‘observer status’ to the TRNC was refused and it was decided to transfer the issue to the Presidency Council.

The proposals regarding two observers from TRNC being in the EP were refused by the initiatives of Greek and Greek Cypriot members. Most of the members of the Presidency Council consist of left- wing and liberals.

MEDVEDEV: ‘GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION IS THE WORST EXAMPLE FOR OFF-SHORE BANKING’

According to the Ria Novosti News Agency, Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev said that they should thank their partners in the European Union for Cyprus agreements and for teaching how to apply unfair policies. Medvedev also said that the decisions taken proved that people should not invest all of their money in one country.

ROLE OF TURKEY CONSTRUCTIVE

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, attended a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on National Security and Foreign Policy Priorities in the Fiscal Year 2014 International Affairs Budget.

Kerry stated that Turkey is making contact for help in the two frozen issues which are Qarabag and Cyprus and we believe that Turkey will be a constructive player in these issues.

UNLAWFUL ATTITUDE FROM EU ONCE AGAIN

While Turkish Cypriots are waiting for the EU to keep their promises, they are faced with an unlawful attitude once again in Brussels.

Greek Cypriot Administration laid down a condition to the Turkish Cypriot environment organizations to fly from Larnaca Airport to attend a meeting in Brussels. However Turkish Cypriot environment organizations protested this enforcement by covering their expenses personally and flew from Ercan Airport. It was noted that this unlawful enforcement was realized with the initiative of the European Commission Communication Directorate General.

Source; TRNC Public Information Office