TRNC News Today 9th May 2014

Prime Minister Yorgancıoğlu: “Opportunity of a solution should not be missed”

Prime Minister Özkan Yorgancıoğlu said that the opportunity for a solution which was missed during the Annan Plan has again come to the agenda due to the rich underground resources in the Eastern Mediterranean and said that this opportunity should not be missed.

Prime Minister Yorgancıoğlu received young diplomats of the Turkish Foreign Ministry who are visiting the TRNC.

Prime Minister Yorgancıoğlu informed the young diplomats about the embargoes and political and economic problems, Cyprus problem, Annan Plan and the solution process. The Prime Minister also stressed that the opportunity for a solution which was missed during the Annan Plan has again come to the agenda due to the rich underground resources in the Eastern Mediterranean and said that this opportunity should not be missed.

Foreign Minister Nami: “I am optimistic about the solution of the Cyprus problem”

Foreign Minister Nami said that he is optimistic about the solution of the Cyprus problem and a last effort is needed for this.

Recording that there is a world weariness regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem Nami said that the Turkish side is trying to use this as an advantage. Nami also said that similarly the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon used statements as ‘one final push’ and ‘time framed effort’.

Foreign Minister Nami briefed the group of 93 young diplomats newly appointed to the Turkish Foreign Ministry regarding the Cyprus problem and the policies being followed.

At the briefing, which took place at the Foreign Ministry, Nami mentioned the status gained by the Turkish Cypriot Community at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Organization of Economic Cooperation, European Parliament and European Council Parliamentary Assembly.

Foreign Minister Nami indicated that regardless of a solution or un-solution Turkish Cypriots cannot continue to live isolated from the World. Nami expressed that Turkish Cypriots are continuing their way by building on the gains attained in full coordination with Turkey.

Answering the question whether he believes that there will be a solution in spite of the insincerity of the Greek Cypriots Nami said: “Greeks are considering the same things like us; they also have some concerns coming from History.”

Recording that there will be single sovereignty in the partnership to be established in Cyprus and this is underlined in the joint statement, Nami pointed out that there is also an article in the statement: “No one can use power or authority over the other.” Nami also indicated that a system should be created in which agreements cannot be violated and added that the mentality of the EU is preventing the world wars by establishing such balances.

Pointing out that both sides demand a solution in Cyprus and investigations show that a 60% ‘yes’ vote at the Turkish side still remains, Nami expressed that there is the same inclination at the Greek side.

Answering another question Nami said that he expects demilitarization in the island up to the levels of the 1960 partnership agreement and he added that he does not expect any change in the status of the British Bases.

Konstantinidis: “Cyprus problem has not always been a ‘problem of occupation and invasion’ ”

Columnist of Greek Cypriot daily Alithia Alekos Konstantinidis criticized the Greek Cypriot politicians who made statements such as ‘the Cyprus problem is not only a bi-communal problem, but also a problem of occupation and invasion’.

Stating that the Cyprus problem arose as a bi-communal problem before the “occupation” of the island by Turkey in 1974, Konstantinidis pointed out that the Cyprus problem was a bi-communal problem between the years of 1964 and 1974 and bi-communal negotiations were conducted under the auspices of the UN.

Konstantinidis expressed that if the Greek Cypriot leadership had achieved reaching an agreement in the negotiations, Turkey would not “occupy” the island.

Konstantinidis stated that ‘occupation and invasion’ are another aspect of the Cyprus problem and defended that the sole way to get out of this is the negotiations conducted for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Konstantinidis claimed that the other way is war. (Translation: TRNC Public Information Office)

Dr. Karim Khasvarian has been appointed as Honorary Attaché to Iran

Dr. Karim Khosvarian, citizen of Islamic Republic of Iran, has been appointed as the “TRNC Economy, Tourism and Culture Honorary Attaché to Iran”.

Khosvarian will make studies for promotion of the TRNC and for establishment of ‘TRNC-Islamic Republic of Iran Friendship House’ in Lefkoşa for the purpose of establishing close relations on economical, cultural and touristic issues between the two countries.