TRNC News Today 12^th January 2015

Greek Cypriot Airways closes down

Greek Cypriot Airways (Cyprus Airways) which has been operating since 1947 made its last flight from Athens to Larnaca on the 11^th January and officially closed down.

One of the Greek Cypriot dailies wrote that the company closes because of the losses, lack of restructuring and illicit state assistance. The paper added that European Competitive Council declared that 100 million Euros granted to the company as a support by Greek Cypriot government is illicit and the Council decided that the company should return the money.

Call from UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon

It was stated that in his report unofficially submitted to the members of the Security Council on Friday regarding the extension of UNFICYP’s term of office in Cyprus, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon made a call to the sides to avoid putting the responsibility to the other side.

In his report, Ban renewed that all kinds of natural resources in Cyprus should be for the benefit of both communities in Cyprus. Ban also made a call to the sides to continue their cooperation with UNFICYP with goodwill and also demanded the extension of UNFICYP’s term of office in Cyprus until 31 July 2015.

According to the statement of AKEL, Ban will treat the sides equally and Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades’ statement would not give the intended result.

Hochstein: “Eastern Mediterranean can have a domino effect in a little change and previous earnings can be wasted”

The US Department of State’s Special Representative and Coordinator for International Energy Issues – Amos Hochstein suggested that positive perspectives formed or to be formed on energy issues in the Eastern Mediterranean can collapse in one night.

In his speech made in Washington Atlantic Council on the topic of “USA’s 2015 Diplomatic Energy Priorities” Hochstein saved major part of his speech to the natural gas explored or to be explored in the Eastern Mediterranean and also about meeting energy needs of the countries in the region including Turkey and Europe. Furthermore, emphasizing that new energy reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean can be used as an instrument to support stability, security and prosperity, Hochstein warned that all perspectives could collapse and added “Eastern Mediterranean is a region where even a little change can have a domino effect and previous earnings can be wasted”.

Olgun: “Greek Cypriots’ blocking efforts against Turkey and TRNC is very dangerous”

Turkish Cypriot negotiator – Ergun Olgun said that the Greek Cypriot side is forming alliances in the area with countries like Israel, Egypt and Lebanon and trying to form a block against Turkey and the TRNC. Ergun said “we find these alliances very dangerous. The Greek Cypriot side’s such actions deepens the ‘grouping’ in the region and do not serve to stability”. Following his contacts in Washington and New York, Olgun evaluated the developments in an interview with the Anadolu News Agency. Olgun stated that he met with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs – Victoria Nuland, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations – Herve Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs – Jeffrey Feltman and some UN permanent representatives as part of his visit to USA and forwarded the opinions of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Evaluating the latest developments in the negotiations and hydrocarbon issue, Olgun reminded that “The Turkish Cypriot side is at the negotiating table” and added that the Greek Cypriot side, on one hand, unilaterally carries on exploratory drilling activities for hydrocarbons and, on the other hand, left the negotiating table.

Emphasizing that evaluation of natural resources that both sides have rights on can be managed through cooperation, Olgun said “If taking steps to consolidate the status-quo and overlooking the legitimate rights and interests of the other side is continued, then it will not be possible to realize unity in Cyprus”.

Olgun added “The hydrocarbon issue can be an opportunity or a curse. It should be managed properly” and emphasized that the issue can be solved at the negotiating table and leaving the negotiating table will not serve to a solution.

Ertuğ: “The hydrocarbon issue should be a catalyzer for consensus not a reason for conflict”

Presidential Spokesperson – Osman Ertuğ said “The hydrocarbon issue should be a catalyzer for consensus not a reason for conflict“ and added “We invite Greek Cypriot authorities to abandon the accusations and tactical games and to find the right way as immediately as possible”.

Osman Ertuğ drew attention to the Greek Cypriot side’s misleading and unsupported propaganda against Turkish Cypriot side’s just reaction to the Greek Cypriot unilateral hydrocarbon exploration activities. Ertuğ added that the Greek Cypriot side is attempting to attribute blame on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey to cover their responsibility of leaving the negotiations. He emphasized that both the statements of Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades made following the meeting with the leaders of Greek Cypriot political parties on 5 January and the statements of Greek Cypriot spokesperson – Nikos Hristodulides are the parts of the game showing the Turkish Cypriot side accused.

Ertuğ said “Greek Cypriot side should return to the negotiating table without preconditions. We are already at the negotiating table. If they want to carry on their activities, they can, we can carry on too, but we have to meet at the negotiating table and solve the Cyprus problem as soon as possible”.

Record immigration in South Cyprus

South Cyprus reached record immigration numbers after the 2012 crisis. Due to economic crisis there has been a rapid increase in the number of Greek Cypriots and foreigners who immigrated abroad to find jobs.

Greek Cypriot daily Politis reported that the number of immigrants was 5000 in 2011 and it reached 25.500 in 2013.

Politis also reported that 3.579 of 25.227 who immigrated abroad in 2013 were Greek Cypriots, 8.745 were European citizens and 12.903 were from the third world countries.

Two plays were staged in İstanbul

Lefkoşa Municipality Theatre’s two plays were staged in İstanbul.

Within the framework of the cooperation protocol between Lefkoşa Municipality Theatre and İstanbul City Theatres, the two plays were staged on Friday and Saturday nights at İstanbul City Theatres.