TRNC News Today 11th November 2014

President Eroglu sent a letter to Biden about no ‘provocation’ or ‘harassment’ of Cyprus drilling

President Derviş Eroglu emphasized that there has been no ‘provocation’ or ‘harassment’ from either Turkish Cypriot side or from Turkey regarding the drilling which has been going on at the sea bed around South Cyprus.

President Eroglu sent a letter to Vice President of USA, Joe Biden regarding the recent developments. In his letter Eroglu asked Biden to convince the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades to return to the negotiation table without any preconditions.

President Eroglu emphasized that seismic research conducted by the Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa vessel is taking place in accordance with the agreement made between the TRNC government and Turkish Petroleum Corporation TPAO and added that the research is being done in order to safeguard the legal rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots which is one of the two equal partners in the island.

Eroglu expressed that if there is a provocation, it is the present situation which is created by the Greek Cypriot side who excluded the Turkish Cypriot side and made unilateral attempts and activities regarding hydrocarbon beds around the island.

Foreign Minister Nami left for Brussels

Foreign Minister Ozdil Nami left for Brussels this morning to have official contacts.

Within the framework of his contacts Nami will also meet with Turkish Minister of EU and the Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkır on 12^th of November.

Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations asked UK to put pressure on Greek Cypriot leadership to return to negotiations

Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations asked UK Prime Minister David Cameron to put pressure on the Greek Cypriot leader to return to negotiations without any preconditions and if there is no possibility for the resumption of the negotiations to give support to a two state solution. Council also demanded that the UK accepts equal status of Turkish Cypriots in the island and unconditional lifting of the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. A letter prepared by the Council which represents 28 Turkish Cypriot Non-governmental organizations was handed over to the authorities at the UK Prime Ministry to be conveyed to the UK Prime Minister. It is recorded in the letter that the decision of the Greek Cypriot side to suspend the negotiations by using Turkey’s research activities in the Eastern Mediterranean as an excuse is an disrespectful move and that this decision is an indication that the Greek Cypriot administration has no intention to find a solution based on equality in the island.