TRNC News Today 9th May 2013
EROĞLU: “RASMUSSEN’S OPINION PUT FORWARD RELATED TO CYPRUS IS IMPORTANT”
TRNC President Dervis Eroğlu said that NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s opinion that he put forward related to Cyprus was 
important and added that the Greek Cypriot side which was making efforts in order to enter into NATO should evaluate such proposals.
Upon being reminded that the Greek Cypriot Leader, Nikos Anastasiadis, had showed reaction to NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen’s words: “the Cyprus problem should be solved in order to solve the problems between the EU and NATO and exploration of resources such as natural gas can begin after a solution” President Eroğlu expressed that these might be precautionary words.
Stating that he was aware of different comments related to this subject Eroğlu said that: “Of course there is a problem and unless it is solved proposals will be made by different countries and officials from time to time. I think that this will be tolerated by the side that has not put forward any will for a solution so far.
EROĞLU: “WE ARE CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS FOR AN AGREEMENT”
President Eroğlu touched upon the negotiation process during one of his receptions.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots had a State based on strong foundations as a result of the past struggle, Eroğlu said that in spite of this they were continuing the negotiations for an agreement that envisages living with the Greek Cypriots side by side, peacefully under a single roof established in accordance with the United Nations principles.
President however had complained that those efforts which had been continuing for years had no conclusions. Eroğlu said that: “These negotiations have been continuing for years, but we cannot reach any result. The only reason for this is the non-compromising South Cyprus. South Cyprus does not put forward any will for a solution as she is not in need of an agreement. However, there were two agreement plans prepared by the United Nations Secretary-Generals and the side who had rejected both plans was the Greek Cypriot side.
Nevertheless we are the ones who are imposed with embargoes. Unfortunately, the European Union and the World States are continuing to impose embargoes on us. ”The President emphasized that in the case of non-agreement in Cyprus other alternatives will come out. Eroğlu continued: “We shall either reach an agreement or the world will have to accept the reality that the Greek Cypriot side does not desire an agreement so that different alternatives will come out. Right now we have a negotiation table in front of us, to sit at and reach an agreement. Will we accomplish this target or not? We have not accomplished it so far. The reason for this is not the Turkish Cypriots. It is the Greek Cypriot side that does not have any will for a solution. The world either accepts this reality or we will continue our efforts to show this reality. The negotiations had started in 1968 after the 1963 incidents and have been continuing since then. The 7th President has come in South Cyprus and the 3rd in the North, but the negotiations have not been finished yet. We believe that everything must end one day”.
PRIME MINISTER KÜÇÜK WILL GO TO USA
TRNC Prime Minister İrsen Küçük will go to USA on Sunday in order to meet contacts in Washington and New York.
Küçük will also attend the ‘Turkish Walking’ which is organized every year on 19th May in Washington.
ÖZGÜRGÜN IN ISTANBUL
TRNC Foreign Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün attended a reception hosted by the Turkish National Defence Minister, İsmet Yılmaz, at Çırağan Palace last night.
According to the information given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Özgürgün found the opportunity to meet with ministers and high level bureaucrats from many countries who attended the ‘International Defence Industry Fair, IDEF-2013’.
FIRST MEETING OF GATAA IN TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS
Global Alliance of Travel Agent Associations (GATAA) founded in Vienna in May 2012 has had its first meeting of the Board of Directors in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus during 3-6 May.
Following the opening speech made by the Honorary President of Cyprus Turkish Tourism and Travel Agencies Association (KITSAB) and 
Secretary General of GATAA Ahmet Necati Özkan, President of KITSAB Orhan Tolun, Deputy President of GATAA Joseph Reitinger, Neil Armorgie who was elected as the President in this meeting and Tourism, Environment and Culture Minister Ünal Üstel made speeches and emphasized the importance of GATAA which is an International Tourism Organization and they touched upon the importance of GATAA, and its future activities and contributions to North Cyprus Tourism.
TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu said in his message: “GATAA’s first Board of Directors meeting which has been held in the TRNC is a positive development towards overcoming the imposed isolations.”
Moreover, a co-operation agreement was signed at the meeting between the Malaysian Association of Travel Agents (MATTA) and KITSAB.
CONCERT FROM TURKISH CYPRIOT PHILARMONIC SOCIETY IN KORUCAM
Turkish Cypriot Philharmonic Society is organising a concert in co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at St. George Church in Koruçam (Kormacit) on 10th May.
According to the information given by the Society, the concert will start at 19.30 and the entrance will be free.
STUDENTS OF INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES SEARCH AND RESCUE COUNCIL RECEIVE TRAINING IN TRNC
Students of the International Universities Search and Rescue Council are receiving training in the TRNC. The students who are participating in a one-week training co-ordinated by 
the Presidency of the Turkish Cypriot Civil Defence Organisation are taking applied courses on various subjects like search and rescue, sanitary transport methods and assisting in traffic accidents. University students from Turkey, Indonesia, and Kyrgyzstan said that such training had a great contribution and is very important for the development of relations between the two countries and stated that they were very pleased to attend the training and meet with the new technologies.
SIGNING FOR TAŞKENT MARTYRDOM AND MONUMENT PROJECT
TRNC Minister of Interior and Local Administrations Nazım Çavuşoğlu and the company which won the tender signed the Martyrdom and Monument Project that is planned to be constructed in Taşkent village.
The martyrs, who were massacred in Taşkent (Dohni) village, will be buried in the martyrdom complex to be constructed after the DNA testing is completed. According to the statement made by the Ministry, 46 out of 83 martyrs have been found up to now, however their DNA testing and identification has not yet been made.
Within the framework of Taşkent Martyrdom and Museum Project, graves and monuments will be built for the martyrs and a museum will also be constructed for the belongings of the martyrs.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office
