TRNC News Today – 11th

December 2013

PRESIDENT EROGLU STRESSED THAT AN AGREEMENT COULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT SITTING AT THE NEGOTIATION TABLE

President Dervis Eroglu has stressed that an agreement could not be possible without sitting at the negotiation table.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people declared to the world that they were open to a federal structure and ready for negotiations, Eroglu said: “If the Greek Cypriot side is thinking of playing for time, it is obvious that nothing can be reached by playing for time, it is time for an agreement and negotiation.”

President Eroglu received the TRNC Human Rights Association on the occasion of 10th December World Human Rights Day.

Expressing that the Turkish Cypriots have been struggling to live humanely, Eroglu said that the whole world saw the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle to live in freedom and peace and benefit from human rights.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people have been continuing their struggle of living in peace with their neighbours under the roof of their state which they established after 1974, Eroglu continued: “We do not desire many things from our Greek Cypriot neighbours. We always extend our hand of peace to seek ways of living together in peace.”

Noting that they were in search of an agreement from which everyone would benefit, Eroglu stated that they were still at the same point today. Eroglu hoped the Greek Cypriots would give up their persistent attitude and would let the negotiations begin, without a precondition, in the following days.

A CALL FROM EROGLU TO ANASTASIADES: “DO NOT REFUSE MY HAND OF RECONCILIATION THIS TIME. LET’S BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS THIS WEEK”

Making a call to the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades, President Eroglu said: “Do not refuse my hand of reconciliation this time and let’s begin the negotiations this week which can lead us to a comprehensive solution in the first quarter of 2014.”

Stating that he showed political courage and will orientated towards establishing a permanent and viable united Cyprus, Eroglu added that he expected the same attitude from the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades. Eroglu stated that he was ready for the first leaders’ meeting during this week which would resume the negotiations.

President Eroglu issued a written statement following the meeting with UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor – Alexander Downer. Eroglu recorded that he had a sincere meeting, discussed the latest point reached in the issue of the joint statement and how the difficulties could be overcome.

Recording that the Cyprus issue was about to complete its 50th year, Eroglu expressed that the Turkish Cypriot people had been condemned to live under the isolations unfairly for 50 years.

NAMI CAME TOGETHER WITH MEDIA MEMBERS IN GUINEA

It has been stated that the TRNC Foreign Minister – Ozdil Nami, who is representing the TRNC as an ‘observer country’ at the Organization of Islamic Co-operation 40th meeting of Foreign Ministers which is being held in Conakry, the capital city of the Guinea Republic, came together with the media members upon their request.

Stating the expectations of the TRNC from the Organization of Islamic Co-operation as an ‘observer member’, Minister Nami informed the media members regarding the latest stage reached at the solution efforts for the Cyprus problem.

Moreover Minister Nami expressed the Turkish Cypriot people’s sadness due to the death of African leader Nelson Mandela in his statement made to the Guinea media.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office