TRNC News Today 6th September 2013

PRESIDENT EROGLU: ‘LET’S PUT AN END TO THE CYPRUS PROBLEM’

It was stated that the 39th Anniversary of Yesilirmak Resistance and Solidarity Day was celebrated and martyrs were commemorated.

In his speech, President Eroğlu stated his gratitude for all veterans and ones who made contribution for the Yeşilırmak resistance and commemorated the martyrs.

Expressing that 1974 is a milestone for the Turkish Cypriot history, passing from dark days to enlightenment, Eroğlu said that nobody can approach the Cyprus problem without considering what happened in Cyprus. Eroğlu added that he sent a letter to the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis to meet but he has not received any reply up to now.

As the Cyprus negotiations are expected to be re-launched in October, the Greek Cypriot Administration has expressed its desire to focus on the chapter of territory rather than constitutional matters.

President Derviş Eroğlu however made it clear that the issue must be negotiated at the very last phase of the negotiations process.

The Greek Cypriot Side wants to launch negotiations in October with discussions on territory instead of constitutional rights.

The main reason for this is said to be the Greek Cypriot Side’s desire to pave the way for discussions regarding the closed city of Maraş.  Commenting on the developments, President Derviş Eroğlu however stressed that the issue of territory should be taken up at the very end of the negotiations, otherwise negotiating the issue earlier would create new problems.

“We shall negotiate territory after we reach agreement on other matters. Our criteria was put on the table at the Geneva summit.  Negotiating territory before other issues could lead to the creation of new problems” the President warned.

Eroğlu also criticized the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiadis for trying to get rid of his “yes” vote to the Annan Plan in 2004.

“He is now giving the message that he is not a supporter of the Annan Plan. His attempt to give preference to territory at the beginning of negotiations is a result of this mentality” Eroğlu said.

In his speech, President Eroğlu called Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiadis not to deceive his people and reminded that 20 July 1974 Cyprus Turkish Peace Operation took place to prevent the island entering Greek occupation, provide Turkish Cypriot people’s security of life and property, and protect freedom and sovereignty rights. Eroğlu added ‘Cyprus does not belong only to the Greek Cypriots but to the Turkish Cypriots too. There are two states in Cyprus. If a solution is desired in Cyprus, realities of the island should be taken into consideration. As I expressed before, we as the Turkish Cypriot side are ready to continue to negotiate with the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiadis and make an agreement in 2014. The issue of territory will be discussed at the end of the process.’

PRESIDENT EROGLU EVALUATED THE NATURAL GAS ISSUE

A new development has occurred at the 12^th parcel in the so called Exclusive Economic Zone unilaterally declared by the Greek Cypriot side.

First natural gas trial production has been realized within the framework of natural gas research. The Greek Cypriot press has announced that the fire has been lit from the natural gas that came out.

TRNC President Dervis Eroğlu has said that the Turkish Cypriot People also have rights on the natural gas found within the Cyprus territorial waters and they will not give up their rights.

EVALUATION OF FOREIGN MINISTER NAMI TO BRT

Evaluating the intention of the Greek Cypriot side to start the negotiations with the territory issue, TRNC Foreign Minister Özdil Nami said that primarily the direct negotiations should be swiftly re-launched and underlined that both sides need a federal solution on the island.

Expressing that both sides should return to the negotiation table with this mentality Nami said: “the Greek Cypriot side has been avoiding this for a long time. It is pleasing that they have started to talk about negotiations.”

Foreign Minister Özdil Nami also stressed that leakage of some issues by one of the sides as preconditions before the start of the negotiations is incompatible with the spirit of negotiations.

Nami added that everyone should know that the negotiations are not at the starting stage and added that he hopes that the negotiations will start swiftly from where they were stopped.

Pointing out that the issue of territory is a delicate subject that directly affects the life of the people, Nami indicated that it is not a realistic approach to claim that the stage to talk about the territory issue has been reached.

Nami said that one side cannot impose his will to the other side and recorded that the process should be maintained by mutual consensus.

Özdil Nami said that putting preconditions will not serve to a positive atmosphere at a stage where all issues are open.

Responding to a question regarding the natural gas and oil issue, Nami said that the stage reached has proved the need for a solution in the island. Nami demanded that the natural resources issue will accelerate the peace process. Nami also reminded that natural resources belong to all of Cyprus and invited the Greek Cypriot side to be respectful to this reality. Nami concluded his words by inviting the Greek Side to put steps forward for a positive atmosphere.

ATASOY: “NIGER MUST RECOGNISE TRNC”

Head of the Turkish Industrialists Businessmen and Women Confederation and the Head of the Turkish Confederations Society, Nezaket Emine Atasoy, met with the Trade and Industry Minister of Republic of Niger, Alma Oumarau, in İzmir.

At the common press conference following the meeting Atasoy said that they had evaluated the Cyprus Problem and she underlined that there are two States and two Nations in Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a developed country with its universities and economy. Atasoy demanded recognition of the TRNC from the Niger Minister.

Also Trade and Industry Minister of Republic of Niger, Alma Oumarau, made a speech and said that they made productive social and economic agreements in Turkey. The Minister pointed out that he will contact his Prime Minister and the Government when he returns and he will try his best to do anything that would promote the TRNC.  Oumarau said that they will invite a delegation from TRNC to Niger and then a delegation from Niger would visit the TRNC to improve the relations between the two countries.

GREEK CYPRIOT FLAGED SHIP ARRESTED

A ship sailing under the Greek Cypriot flag which was going to Syria was arrested in Italy.

According to the Greek Cypriot Newspaper Alithia, the ship sailing under the Greek Cypriot flag which was carrying suspicious shipment was arrested in Italy and it was said that the ship was going to Syria. The newspaper stated that the ship started its voyage from Shanghai, China and it was arrested in Italy. Italian Police are investigating the ship with specialists and there are rumours that the shipment was high technology electronic systems which are used for the modern arms of the Syrian Armed Forces.

Source : TRNC Public Information Office