TRNC News Today 8th September 2014

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami met with UK Minister of Justice Hughes

Minister of Foreign Affairs – Özdil Nami met with UK Minister of State for Justice and Civil Liberties and Deputy Leader of Liberal Democrats Rt. Hon. Simon Hughes within the framework of his contacts started in London yesterday.

The Cyprus problem and negotiation process were discussed during the meeting of Nami-Hughes. Minister Nami underlined that the reason for deadlocks at the negotiation process is that the past convergences adopted by Talat-Christofias are accepted by Turkish Cypriot side but not by leader of the Greek Cypriot side Anastasiades.

Nami stated that this attitude of the Greek side causes a loss of time and harm in the hopes and positive atmosphere that have come to the island with the Joint Statement text, and underlined the importance of contributions of the UK which is a guarantor country to the solution efforts in Cyprus, and also stated that the time lost will affect the solution process in a negative way.

Nami also recorded that he believes that the newly appointed UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus will contribute the process in a positive way and stated that this is a step taken in order to speed up the process and overcome the deadlock.

Having high level contacts in London, Minister Nami also met with the directors of Turkish Cypriot non-governmental organizations (NGO) living in London at the TRNC London Representative Office and explained to them the latest stages of Cyprus negotiation process.

In the meeting, Nami conveyed information concerning the economic situation in the TRNC and emphasized the importance of continuation of full support of the Turkish Cypriot community living in London to the TRNC.

Martyred soldier Allahverdi Kılıç will be remembered today

Private Allahverdi Kılıç who was attacked and martyred by Greek Cypriot soldiers 18 years ago while he was on sentry duty will be remembered today. The commemoration ceremony for Private Kılıç will be held at the observation post where he was martyred in the Güvercinlik village.

First International Peace and Flower Festival held in Pyla yesterday

First International Peace and Flower Festival organized by Pyla Turkish Muhtar took place yesterday. The festival continued during the day at the village square. Pyla is the only bi-communal village in Cyprus.

In his opening speech, Pyla Turkish Muhtar – Nejdet Ermetal stressed that they have come together to raise awareness of cancer disease which does not distinguish between language, religion or race and thanked those who supported and participated in the festival. Revenue generated from the festival will be donated to the Cancer Patients Aid Society.