TRNC NEWS TODAY – 5th

DECEMBER 2013

EROĞLU: ‘ANASTASIADES INSISTS ON JOINT STATEMENT’

In his statement during a reception, President Dervis Eroğlu said that the Greek Cypriot leader insisted on the joint statement, but first sides should sit at the negotiation table and then make a joint statement.

Adding that the Cyprus negotiations have been continuing for 50 years and the Turkish Cypriot side voted ‘yes’ for both Perez de Quellar and the Annan Plan during that process, President Eroğlu said that he seemed to be intransigent but he made Perez de Quellar to be approved in the Parliament before. The intransigent side is the Greek Cypriot side because the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades, who previously supported the Annan plan, wants to sit at the negotiation table by ignoring the Annan plan now.

FOREIGN MINISTER NAMİ RECEIVES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF NEI

Foreign Minister – Özdil Nami, received the Executive Committee of the Near East Institute which was established within the scope of the Near East University.

According to the statement of the Near East University, Institute Manager Assistant Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş, Deputy Managers Assistant Prof. Dr. Nur Köprülü and Academician Erhan Ayaz visited the Foreign Minister Nami yesterday (4th December 2013).

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“ANASTASIADES IS IN A MANOEUVRE FOR ESCAPING FROM THE NEGOTIATION TABLE”

Following the statement of the leader of Greek Cypriot Administration – Nikos Anastasiades that ‘if an agreement is not provided in the joint statement, he will not meet with Eroğlu once again’, TRNC President’s Special Representative and Spokesperson – Osman Ertuğ and President’s former Spokesperson – Hasan Erçakıca drew attention that Anastasiades is manoeuvring  to escape from the negotiation table. Osman Ertuğ stated that Anastasiades is endeavouring to  obscure his intent and initiatives to escape from the negotiation table.

Ertuğ said “There is not an obligation for a Joint Statement. The statement of Anastasiades is made in order to obscure his escaping from the negotiation table”.

Hasan Erçakıca evaluated the statement as follows:

“After Papadopulos was elected as the leader of DIKO, the situation of Anastasiades became difficult. The radical attitude of Papadopulos did not give Anastasiades a chance to negotiate with the Turkish Cypriot side. In this case, they should look for ways for not starting full-fledged negotiations. The attempt for insisting on a joint statement and for producing this joint statement as they want, is nothing short of escaping from the negotiations”.

DAVUTOĞLU: “OUR AIM IS TO REACH A SOLUTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”

Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister – Ahmet Davutoğlu touched upon the Cyprus problem in the press conference organized in Brussels and said “Our aim is to find a solution as soon as possible. Our intention in the Annan Plan in 2004 was the same. We hope we successfully finalize the negotiations. The Cyprus problem is not related to this matter. We, in any case, have to solve the Cyprus problem”.

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CALL OF EP FOR PROVIDING TURKISH CYPRIOTS THE OPPORTUNITY OF DIRECT TRADE

The European Parliament, in the report on Turkey, calls the Greek Cypriot administration to allow Turkish Cypriots to make direct trade. A draft report on Turkey prepared by EP Reporteur on Turkey, Dutch Parliamentarian – Oomen-Ruijten, was published.

In the report, EP’s strong support for “unification of Cyprus on the grounds of a just and viable solution for both communities”, was reiterated.

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RELIGIOUS CEREMONY AT MAĞUSA NASTURYAN CHURCH

A religious ceremony is going to be held after 57 years at Mağusa Nasturyan Church which is being used as EMU Art and Design Centre at the moment. The ceremony will be held between 08:30-11:30am within the framework of bi-communal activities.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office