TRNC News Today 20th November 2014 – “Return to negotiations” call to parties from White House

By kyreniacatkin on November 20, 2014

TRNC News Today 20th November 2014

“Return to negotiations” call to parties from White House

It is reported that the White House urged all the interested parties to return to negotiations and avoid creating tension.

A White House official said, United States Vice president Joe Biden in his statement highlighted that there was no tension between Turkish Republic President – Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Biden.

Ertug: “Claim of Greek Cypriot side that the guarantee of Turkish Cypriot side’s interests in the probable incomes is itself, is funny”

Presidential Spokesperson Osman Ertug said that the Greek Cypriot sides’ discourse regarding sharing the probable income from the hydrocarbon resources around the island would only be possible only after a solution, is an empty promise. Ertug pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side has again refused the Turkish Cypriot side’s equal right of say in the natural resources around the island and said : “Greek Cypriot sides’ claim that they are the guarantee of interests of Turkish Cypriot side in the probable incomes is ridiculous”

Spokesperson Ertug : “These resources do not belong to the so called State of Cyprus but they are the common property of both peoples in the island. Ex-Greek Cypriot leader Mr.Christofias also accepted this in the past. However, now they put in front of us a ‘state’ which we do not recognize which neither represents us nor the whole Island and say that this is the guarantee of your rights.

We expect the Greek Cypriot side to leave such expired and unilateral attitudes and move with the logic of treating an equal partner. Even this reality is the proof that shows the insincerity of the Greek Cypriot side on this issue.”

Reminding that the Greek Cypriot side’s claims on the issue of sovereignty are unfounded, Ertug emphasized that the Greek Cypriot sides’ position on this matter is also against the joint statement declared by the two leaders on 11 February 2014.

Toros Exercise will not be performed this year

Presidential spokesperson Osman Ertuğ stated that Toros exercise that was carried out annually in collaboration with Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces and Turkish Cypriot Security forces, will again not take place this year like in the previous years.

In his written statement Ertuğ also stated:“Regarding the exercise, consultations were carried out with our motherland and guarantor Turkey. At a time when we expect the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table, our decision carries a significant importance towards showing our constructive attitude.”

Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yıldız: “Natural Resources around Cyprus belong to all Cypriots”

Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources – Taner Yıldız said that natural resources around Cyprus belong to all Cypriots.

Minister Yıldız attended a conference in Rome which was organised by EU Term President, Italy and European Commission on the issue of ‘Building Europe-Mediterranean Energy Bridge: Strategic Importance of Europe-Mediterranean Natural Gas and Electric Network’ .

Answering a question regarding the energy sources on the off shores of Cyprus, Yıldız said that natural resources around Cyprus belong to all Cypriots.

Furthermore, Yıldız emphasized the importance of cooperation in the Mediterranean, and said “Our sensitivities and priorities are clear. A structure based on political feasibility should be established to pave the way for economic feasibilities .”

Christofias makes a call to Greek Cypriot youth for protest

Former Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias, who blames Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades for distorting the history, made a call to the Greek Cypriot youth to protest against Anastasiades’ government.

According to Greek Cypriot daily, Fileleftheros, Christofias underlined that fascism is on the rise due to economic crisis in the South and made a call to the Greek Cypriot youth to gather around university students movement and protest against the current regime and put pressure on Troika.