TRNC News Today 2nd October 2014

Siber: “Heavy cost of deadlock reflects on Turkish Cypriot Community”

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the new legislative year yesterday, the President of the TRNC Assembly – Siber Siber said that the heavy cost of deadlock in Cyprus reflects on the Turkish Cypriot community.

Siber said “We are supporting a just and lasting solution based on bi-communality, bi-zonality and political equality. We expressed our support for the Joint Statement signed on 11 February 2014 and the negotiations resumed within that framework”.

Siber said “We hope to see developments in the negotiations. A solution in Cyprus carries great importance in terms of social, cultural, economic opportunities as well as securing regional peace in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

Foreign Minister Özdil Nami continues his Washington contacts

Within the scope of his Washington contacts, Foreign Minister – Özdil Nami met yesterday with Gerry Connolly, member of the House of Representatives House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans, and relayed information on the Cyprus negotiation process. Minister Nami also obtained information from Congressman Connolly regarding the work that is being carried out at the House Committee on Foreign Affairs related to Turkey, Cyprus and our overall region and an exchange of views took place on how to further develop relations with the Committee in the upcoming period. Minister Nami expressed his gratitude to Congressman Connolly for his support to the Turkish Cypriots.

Foreign Minister Nami also met over lunch with Serdar Kılıç, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Washington D.C., yesterday within the framework of his Washington contacts and exchanged views on the relations between the USA, and Turkey and Northern Cyprus.

Foreign Minister Nami, who also met with representatives of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Associations (MÜSİAD), emphasized the importance of developing trade relations between Turkish Cypriot businessmen and those of the United States.

Foreign Minister Nami was interviewed regarding the Cyprus issue on Fox TV, one of the most esteemed television channels of the U.S.

Foreign Minister Nami participates in a round table discussion at the Brookings Institution

After concluding his contacts in New York, Foreign Minister Özdil Nami went to Washington D.C. to participate in a round-table discussion today at the Brookings Institution, one of the most renowned think-tanks in the United States.

At the meeting which was closed to the press, Foreign Minister Nami conveyed information to the participants regarding the Cyprus issue and the current situation of the ongoing negotiation process.

Denktaş: “Reaction of Greek Cypriots to the transfer of Greek Cypriot footballer to a Turkish Cypriot team reveals their feelings towards Turkish Cypriots”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Culture and Sports – Serdar Denktaş said that the reaction of Greek Cypriots to the transfer of a Greek Cypriot footballer to a Turkish Cypriot team reveals their feelings towards Turkish Cypriots.

Reactions continue to the transfer of Greek Cypriot footballer Dimitris Vasiliou to Değirmenlik Sports Club in the TRNC and he is declared a traitor at a time when Turkish Cypriot Football Federation (KTFF) and Greek Cypriot Football Federation (KOP) have signed an agreement towards uniting football in the island.

Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktaş described the events that took place after the transfer of Vassiliu to Değermenlik as very ‘unfortunate’ and indicated that reaction of the Greek Cypriot fanatics is unnecessary and gives harm to both sides.

Expressing that the decision of Vassiliu to play in Değirmenlik Sports Club in the TRNC should be considered quite normal Denktaş said: “With this attitude, the Greek Cypriot side shows they do not recognize the rights of the Turkish Cypriots even in the field of Sport”

It has also been claimed that Vasiliou, who also trains youngsters of Aradippou, has been dismissed from his position after the events that took place regarding his transfer.