TRNC News Today 17th October 2014

Eroğlu : “Suspension of the negotiations by Anastasiades leads Cyprus problem to a new deadlock”

At the opening ceremony of the ‘4^th International Cyprus Symposium’ hosted by Eastern Mediterranean University, President Dr. Dervis Eroglu underlined that suspension of the negotiations by the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades led Cyprus problem to a new deadlock.

President Eroğlu said that suspension of the negotiations on the pretext of Turkish vessels is a new ‘intrigue’, and added “our sovereignty is not something to be discussed” and emphasized that Turkish Cypriots also have rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Eroğlu said “The rule is who leaves the negotiation table returns back to the table” and added that the precondition ‘Turkey should recognize sovereignty of the “Republic of Cyprus”’ put forward by the Greek Cypriot side for returning back to the negotiation table is unacceptable.

Underlining that the Turkish Cypriot side sincerely wants an agreement, the President expressed that Turkish Cypriot side is at the table, and gave the message “If they come, we will negotiate”.

The delegation from TRNC Assembly having contacts in Brussels

Two MPs from TRNC Assembly are meeting with the officials of European Union (EP) and with the Permanent Representatives of EU Member Countries.

CTP-BG MP Armagan Candan and DP-UG MP Fikri Ataoglu are representing the TRNC Assembly and conveying information on Cyprus problem, relations of Turkish Cypriots with EU Institutions, development of Green Line Regulation for the benefit of Turkish Cypriots, the issue of hellim (halloumi), enabling crossing of Turkish Cypriot commercial vehicles to South Cyprus and initiatives for the sales of processed foods in South Cyprus, at their meetings.

Candan and Ataoglu met with representatives from Christian Democrat Group, Conservative and Reformer Group, Liberal Group, Freedom and Direct Democracy Group and Greens in EP. The delegation from the Assembly also met with the EP Foreign Relations (AFET) and Regional Development (REGI) Committees.

The delegation, who also met with the cabinet of EU President Martin Schulz, demanded the acceleration of the works concerning the representation of Turkish Cypriots in European Parliament.

Ledra Palace meetings also suspended

After the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades’ suspension of negotiations, DİKO, EDEK and Ecologist and Environmentalists Movement also demanded the suspension of the meetings between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties which have been going on for 25 years under the auspices of the Slovakian Embassy at Ledra Palace.

Greek Cypriot newspaper Simerini reported that the abovementioned Greek Cypriot political parties demanded suspension of Ledra Palace meetings until the resumption of negotiations or until the end of so called “Turkish challenges”.

It is also reported that the trip of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot delegations to Gazi Magusa which was planned for yesterday is postponed and this should be acknowledged as the first precaution taken by the Greek Cypriot political parties.

TRNC participated in Frankfurt book fair

TRNC opened a stand at Frankfurt Book Fair which is known as the World’s biggest book fair being organized since 1949. At the fair which took place between 8-12 October, a collection of local publications have been displayed in order to convey the Turkish Cypriot literary life to a wider audience.

Gürgenç Korkmazel who has story and poem books translated into English, Greek, French, Dutch and Lithuanian represented Turkish Cypriot authors and Ali Rüstem represented the publishers at the 66th Frankfurt Book Fair.

The collection which is displayed at the TRNC stand consisted of research and literature books that are written by literary authors and researchers or publishers from the TRNC.

Delay in justice in Greek Cypriot side

Greek Cypriot daily Simerini reported that according to a research done by Cyprus Lawyers Association among 70 lawyers (Lawyer, junior clerk and judge), much should be done to recover the justice system, otherwise reliability of justice will take a major blow. It was reported that there are big delays in the justice system in the Greek Cypriot side.

Furthermore, it was reported that according to 90% of the lawyers, hearing period of political cases is longer than necessary against the suit or/defendant, and according to 70% of lawyers, hearing period of criminal cases is longer than necessary against the defendant. 70% of the same lawyers also expressed that the period which starts from completion of the case until taking a decision changes from judge to judge.

Mayor of Paphos under arrest

According to the Greek Cypriot press, the Mayor of Paphos -Savvas Vergas has been under arrest due to trying to throw police off track and sending messages of threat regarding Aristo land scandal case from the telephone bought by him and used by one of Paphos Municipality staff.

Vergas faces charges of conspiring to commit a felony, conspiring to commit a misdemeanour, sending written death threats, interfering with a court procedure and sending harmful texts.