TRNC News Today 15th September 2014

German Minister of State Roth: “It is the right time for a solution”

Germany’s Minister of State in charge of European Union Affairs – Michael Roth stressed the importance of reaching a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution in Cyprus based on political equality. In an interview before his Cyprus visit which is going to take place between 17-19 September, Roth called on both sides in Cyprus to continue to work hard to bring the negotiations to a success.

Stating that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s Special Advisor on Cyprus – Espen Barth’s first contacts in the island raised hopes, Roth said “it is the right time for a solution”.

The German Minister also added that the natural gas potential in the Eastern Mediterranean could create great political and financial opportunities for both Cyprus and the region. (Havadis)

President Eroğlu to meet with Assembly Platform today

President Derviş Eroğlu will meet with the Assembly Platform at the Presidential Palace today to discuss the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem. The Assembly Platform is composed of the leaders or the representatives of the political parties that are represented in the TRNC Assembly.

Barcelona Sports Club’s Former President Laporta: “Turkish Cypriot youth should have the right to compete in the international arena”

Spain’s Barcelona Sports Club’s Former President and Spain’s Autonomous Region Catalonia’s former MP – Joan Laporta stated that Turkish Cypriot youth should have the right to compete in the international arena. Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Economy, Tourism, Culture and Sports – Serdar Denktaş and the President of the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation – Hasan Sertoğlu, Laporta said that it was difficult to understand the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots in the field of sports and added that a great injustice is done to the Turkish Cypriot youth .

Stating that he supports the process started between the Cyprus Football Federation and the CyprusTurkish Football Federation, Laporta said “FIFA considers itself obliged to helping this country for so long. This is the main reason for starting this process.”

Underlining that it is possible for the TRNC teams to play football matches with Catalonia teams, Laporta said that Cyprus Turkish Football Federation and Catalonia Football Federation should meet and make the necessary arrangements to make this possible.

Laporta also added that TRNC and Catalonia which struggles for independence from Spain should not be subjected to different measures than Scotland.

Denktaş “Agreement is made with Fashion TV for the promotion of TRNC”

TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Tourism, Culture and Sports – Serdar Denktaş stated that an agreement is signed with Fashion TV in order to promote the tourism of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Denktaş added that 33 million people will be reached with the promotions to be broadcasted in Fashion TV.

Atalay meets Berglund from Swedish Foreign Ministry

The Head of TRNC Religious Affairs Department – Talip Atalay, who is in Sweden as the guest of Religious Social Democrats of Sweden, visited Johan Berglund, officer in charge of the Cyprus issue at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Sweden. At the meeting Atalay stated that religious leaders should use a different approach than politicians which would contribute to a peaceful environment. .The Head of Religious Social Democrats of Sweden – Peter Weiderug and Head of Islam Federation of Sweden – Tahir Akan accompanied Atalay during his meeting.

Atalay stated that psychological barriers lie under many problems in Cyprus and added that religious leaders have a responsibility in helping their communities to overcome these barriers. Atalay also added that all religions recommend peace and brotherhood.

Lefkoşa Economic Forum reiterates its support to the negotiation process

“Lefkoşa Economic Forum”, set up in June with the participation of Chambers of Trade and Industry in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, South Cyprus, Turkey and Greece, had its second meeting in Istanbul and reiterated its support to the negotiation process towards reaching a just and sustainable solution that has been started by the two leaders in Cyprus.

Members of the Forum also prepared a proposal list to turn the buffer zone between the two communities to a unification area rather than a partition area.