TRNC News Today 12th June 2014

Foreign Minister Nami: “Greek Cypriots started to come to the negotiation table with proposals that will abolish past convergences”

Foreign Minister Nami said that instead of respecting past convergences the Greek Cypriots started to come to the negotiation table with proposals that will abolish them.

Turkish Cypriot Businessmen’s Association (İŞAD) organized a panel themed “How are the World and Europe Changing? What is in the perspective of Cyprus?” yesterday (11^th June). The opening speech of the panel was made by Foreign Affairs Minister – Özdil Nami and the President of Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce – Fikri Toros.

Minister Nami said that non-governmental organizations have displayed a significant dynamism towards the solution of the Cyprus problem. In his speech Nami reminded that the negotiations have resumed with the joint statement. Stressing that some uncompromised issues were resolved in the joint statement Nami gave the issue of sovereignty as an example to this.

Reminding that political parties, non-governmental organizations, unions and religious associations supported the joint statement, Nami said that expectations were to construct new convergences on this positive ground however instead of respecting past convergences the Greek Cypriots started to come to the negotiation table with proposals that will abolish them.

Indicating that the negotiators and technical committees should meet more frequently, Nami reminded that mechanisms that all parties will be involved in this process should be established and the technical committees should put into force precautions that will affect daily life positively.

Nami receives Brussels Representative of TÜSİAD Kaleağası

Foreign Affairs Minister Özdil Nami received Brussels Representative of Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TÜSİAD) – Dr. Bahadır Kaleağası yesterday.

Kaleağası was accompanied by a delegation under the presidency of Metin Şadi from the Turkish Cypriot Businessmen’s Association (İŞAD).

Recent developments in the Cyprus problem, perspectives on the Cyprus problem and what kind of things can be done at the European platform within this framework were discussed during the reception.

Lidington: “United Kingdom strongly supports the efforts for re-unification of the island”

British Deputy Foreign Minister Responsible for European Affairs – David Lidington expressed his pleasure for meeting with Turkish Cypriot negotiator – Kudret Özersay and said:

“The United Kingdom strongly supports the efforts made by the two peoples for the re-unification of the island. The present opportunity should be evaluated for reaching a comprehensive agreement for the benefit of all Cypriots.”

“I encouraged Özersay for improving the efforts for peace and I hope that both sides will negotiate all topics within the framework of goodwill. I reiterated that the UK supports the demand of the Turkish Cypriot community for taking part in the European family with an agreement. The United Kingdom hopes that the ongoing negotiations will make concrete progress before summer under the supervision of the United Nations”.

Caner Gönyeli Search and Rescue Exercise is completed

“Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gönyeli 2014 Search and Rescue Exercise” has been completed.

The exercise was conducted as sea and land phases with the participation of TRNC and Turkish military and civil services.

The exercise was conducted for the purpose of developing the coordination of search and rescue factors and methods for collaboration, and for exercising the opportunities and abilities of the TRNC and Turkey on humanitarian aid operation and cooperation.

South Cyprus can be condemned

Greek Cypriot daily Fileleftheros stated that the problems increased at the prison in Mennoya where foreign citizens are kept and those who are in this prison have many complaints concerning the violation of human rights and added that according to the warnings of Greek Cypriot Ombudsman Eliza Savvidu, South Cyprus faces the risk of being condemned due to the situation of the prison.