TRNC News Today 25th

December 2013

EROĞLU TALKS WITH BAN

President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu has held a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, and the latest situation reached in the talks on the joint declaration was discussed.

The President also explained to the UN Secretary General the latest initiatives achieved by the Cyprus Turkish side with the knowledge and contribution of all the actors involved in the process.

According to a statement from the President’s Press Office, the UN Secretary General said that he was well aware of the Turkish Cypriot side’s efforts.

He also stated that he praised the Cyprus Turkish side’s constructive efforts as well as the Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoğlu’s support to the process.

Ban also pointed out that the contacts will have a break because of the Christmas and New Year holiday, and this period will give the sides an opportunity to make use of the latest developments.

The UN Secretary General also pointed out that his Special Adviser Alexander Downer will visit the island in January before he prepares a report to the UN.

He said that he expected the two sides in Cyprus to make use of the window of opportunity and to restart the Cyprus negotiations process by the time the report is prepared.

POSTPONEMENT IS NOT A REMEDY

TRNC Foreign Affairs Minister Özdil Nami spoke to Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS and stated that he does not want to talk about the possibilities concerning the Cyprus problem however postponement of the process for a few months is not a remedy. Saying: “If the leaders come together, they can solve the problem in an hour”, Nami pointed out that he did not understand why the leaders are not in contact in the last 3 – 4 days. He also added:

“The leaders should help each other instead of being opposed to each other. If a partnership state is to be established, this is what should be done.”

Minister Nami pointed out that he has more hopes for a solution of the Cyprus problem when comparing with the past. Stating that he wants his statements concerning the process to be well understood, Nami pointed out that the process is far beyond the beginning point. He said “Only two words are left to be stated and the problem can be solved. What I say is that if the problem related to the joint statement is solved there is the possibility of an agreement not in years but in months. I did not express that there will be a referendum in a couple of months” Nami added that the Cyprus problem is full of missed opportunities, but to limit the problem with two words in the joint statement does not mean that the process will be concluded with failure. Nami said “I hope we do not miss the opportunity this time”.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office