TRNC News Today 5th March 2014

TALAT: “GREEK CYPRIOT PEOPLE ARE GETTING ON TOWARDS A SOLUTION”

Former TRNC President, Mehmet Ali Talat expressed that Greek Cypriot people are getting on towards a solution.

By giving examples from the Greek Cypriot press, Talat stated that the Greek Cypriots are in a tendency of solution for the first time and narrated the impressions he had from a conference he gave in Paphos. Pointing out that the great majority of the participants in the conference desired a solution; Talat reminded that 86% of the voters in this area voted “NO” to the Annan Plan in 2004.

Pointing out that the main reason of the increase in the tendency for a solution in South Cyprus is the economic collapse, Talat added that the Greek Cypriot side was in need of the EU Troika and indicated that there was no possibility for a quick recovery except the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Talat stated that it is well understood that the most reasonable way for utilizing the natural gas is the transportation of gas via Turkey and within this context the natural gas is a kind of remedy for the collapsed economies of both sides in Cyprus.

Stating that the Greek Cypriots who refused the Annan Plan in 2004 did not find what they expected, Talat pointed out that for this reason the Greek Cypriots have inclined towards a solution.

PRESIDENT EROĞLU MEETS WITH US AMBASSADOR KOENIG

President Derviş Eroğlu met with US Ambassador to Nicosia John M. Koenig yesterday (4th March 2014). The meeting which was held at the Presidential Palace continued for about an hour.

Undersecretary of Presidency Hasan Güngör and Presidential Spokesman Osman Ertuğ also attended the meeting.

EROĞLU: ‘WE ARE TRYING TO REACH A PERMANENT AND VIABLE AGREEMENT IN CYPRUS.  ESPECIALLY, THE GREEK CYPRIOTS SHOULD MAKE GOOD USE OF THIS LAST CHANCE’

Stating that they are trying to reach a permanent and viable agreement in Cyprus, President Derviş Eroğlu said ‘Especially, the Greek Cypriots should make good use of this last chance’. In a speech made during his reception of a delegation, Eroğlu stressed that Turkish Cypriots sit at the negotiation table with goodwill to reach an agreement in Cyprus. Eroğlu added that if the Greek Cypriots also have goodwill, it can be possible to reach a solution.

Moreover, Eroğlu pointed out that the Cyprus problem has also attracted worldwide interest.

EROĞLU: “WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE UN’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO PEACE IN CYPRUS”

President Derviş Eroglu said that they are grateful to UNFICYP’s contributions to peace in Cyprus for the last half a century.

The President also expressed the hope that the 50 year old mission of UNFICYP will be completed as a result of a speedy comprehensive solution to be found to the Cyprus problem and that the Peacekeeping forces will direct its operations to more needy areas around the world.

FOREIGN MINISTER NAMI RECEIVES US AMBASSADOR KOENIG

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami met with US Ambassador to Nicosia John M. Koenig yesterday (4th March 2014).

FM Nami and Koenig evaluated the latest stage reached on the Cyprus problem during the meeting which was held in Nami’s office.

FOREIGN MINISTER NAMI RECEIVES MEMBERS OF CYPRUS ACADEMIC DIALOG (KAD)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami met with members of Cyprus Academic Dialog (KAD) yesterday (4th March 2014). .

FM Nami shared the latest stage reached on the Cyprus problem with KAD members and KAD members presented their opinions related to the Cyprus problem during the meeting.

ÖZERSAY: ‘ESSENCE OF THE ISSUES DISCUSSED DEEPLY’

Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Özersay said that during his meeting with Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyannis, they have discussed the essence of the issues deeply.

‘The picture has started to emerge. What is important is whether it will be possible to create a common picture or not. It will not be an easy process’ Özersay added.

In his press statement after his return to the Presidency, Özersay said that ‘Election of Federal Execution’, ‘Federal powers’ and  ‘Property’ chapters were discussed during the meeting, and it is out of the question for the Turkish Cypriot side to negotiate the chapters of ‘map’ and ‘figures’ at that stage.

The next meeting of negotiators will be held next week on Tuesday at 11:00 the 11th March 2014.

ÖZERSAY AND MAVROYANNIS TO ATTEND PRIO CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS

Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Kudret Özersay and Greek Cypriot Negotiator Andreas Mavroyannis are going to participate in a conference to be held in Brussels. The Negotiators will be informed at the conference about the reflections of a possible comprehensive solution’s economic advantages to different sectors.

Özersay will leave the TRNC today to attend the conference organized by the International Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) which is centred in Norway between 6-7 March 2014. Stating that they are going to attend the meeting with the consensus of both sides, Özersay said that he will have an informal meeting with the Greek Cypriot negotiator in Brussels.

UNDER-SECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY ERCIN: “AN IRREVERSIBLE PROCESS HAS STARTED”

Under-secretary of TRNC Foreign Affairs Ministry Erhan Erçin stated in a program published in Turkish Cypriot TV Channel KIBRIS TV that TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu and the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration decided that a federal, bi-zonal and bi-communal agreement in Cyprus can be established with a structure based on an equal partnership of the two constituent states.

Erçin emphasized that both sides confirmed that this structure will be formed pursuant to the EU principles. Erçin stated that steps taken with the joint statement and the developments within this framework are the indicators that an irreversible process has started. (KIBRIS)

Source: TRNC Public Information Office