TRNC News Today 19th January 2015

“Stop making the Turkish Cypriots pay the price”

Foreign Minister Özdil Nami expressed his expectation from the UN Security Council and the international community to take steps to lift the isolation and embargos, and stated “My primary expectation is for the Turkish Cypriot community to stop being punished by way of isolation and embargos, since it is the Turkish Cypriot side which said “yes” to a comprehensive settlement, which declared that it will respect the convergence papers and which placed its signature on the Joint Declaration of 11 February.”

Minister Nami, who assessed the recent developments in an interview with Yenidüzen newspaper, stated “It is high time for our lives to become normalized” and added “It is not the fault of the Turkish Cypriots that the island of Cyprus remains divided and has not achieved a settlement. They should stop making the Turkish Cypriots pay the price for this. The commencement of this process [of normalization] will inevitably have an awakening effect on the Greek Cypriot side”.

Stating that there is no reason for the Turkish Cypriots not to engage in trade with the EU and the rest of the world, Foreign Minister Nami indicated that mechanisms to remedy this situation can easily be found, that there are no legal impediments and that the obstacles are purely political. Nami stated “They need to overcome these political obstacles that they have created themselves”.

Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Ergün Olgun warned the Greek Cypriot side

Stating that the Greek Cypriot side left the negotiation table by showing Navtex as an excuse, Turkish Cypriot negotiator – Ergün Olgun warned the Greek Cypriot side. Olgun gave the signals of the installation of a platform and exploration activities in the region in case of the continuation of the Greek Cypriot side’s attitude. In his statement to Havadis newspaper, Olgun commented on the Greek Cypriot side’s statement giving Navtex as an excuse not to return to the negotiation table and said “If a platform is installed and exploration starts, then they will need to think”.

Stressing that the present crisis created by the hydrocarbon crisis would bring changes with itself, Olgun said “Creation of this crisis could open doors for change in Cyprus.”

Anastasiades’s statements disturbed Foreign diplomats

Following the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s report regarding the extension of UNFICYP’s term of office, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades’ harsh criticisms towards the UN Secretary General, his Special Advisor – Espen Barth Eide and US Ambassador to South Cyprus John Koenig disturbed the foreign diplomats.

According to Greek Cypriot daily Politis, foreign diplomats were disturbed by Anastasiades’ statements that he was exposed to pressure and blackmail by UN and US Ambassador. Politis furthermore reported that since yesterday, foreign diplomats started conveying their discomfort to the Greek Cypriot government.

“Preparation for bringing the Direct Trade Regulation to agenda”

It is alleged by the Greek Cypriot dailies that the expression “Lifting of Turkish Cypriots’ isolation” in UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s latest report regarding UNFICYP, is a preparation for bringing up EU’s direct trade regulations with TRNC.

Greek Cypriot daily Fileleftheros reported that the reason behind the reappearance of the issue of “Isolations of the Turkish Cypriots” in the report which was forgotten at the time of former UN Secretary General – Kofi Annan, is to bring up the Direct Trade regulation between EU and TRNC to the agenda.

The newspaper which noted that the Direct Trade Regulation is at the ‘Waiting List’ of the European Parliament, alleged that despite the fact that many procedures are needed to bring the regulations to the agenda, it was not impossible to do so.

Water is expected to arrive on 20 July

Regarding the TRNC Water Supply Project, Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs of Turkey, Veysel Eroğlu said “We want the water to be supplied latest on 20 July 2015 at 10.59”.

Eroğlu attended a programme regarding the TRNC Water Supply Project that took place at The Marriott Hotel in Turkey which was organised by Turkish World Engineers and Architects Union.

Emphasizing that the tie between Turkey and Cyprus will be strengthened by this project, Eroğlu said that the project will be a message of ‘Grand Turkey” to the world.

TRNC Minister of Environment and Natural Resources – Hakan Dinçyürek who attended the organization also said that the water project carries vital importance for Cyprus.