TRNC News Today 7^th May 2015

Bozkır: “Frame of solution is obvious”

Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkır said “There are developments on the issue of Cyprus.  The frame of solution is obvious”. Speaking during the meeting with MUSIAD members, Bozkır said that 14 official chapters have been opened up to today in the EU process, one of the chapters was closed and 17 chapters were blocked due to the Cyprus problem. “There are developments on the issue of Cyprus. Frame of solution is obvious. If the Cyprus problem is solved by the end of the year, 17 chapters will be opened. After 2 years, all chapters will be closed. We did not lose man power, time.  We increased Turkey’s level to the highest point during 8 years.  EU has no luxury for not accepting Turkey as a member of the EU as long as we become ready. They should also be ready mentally. This will not be in a very long time” Bozkır added.

President Akıncı made his first official visit

President Mustafa Akıncı Made his first official overseas visit to the Republic of Turkey.

Akıncı and his delegation who went to Ankara from Ercan Airport with a private Jet of the Republic of Turkey were welcomed with an official ceremony at Esenboğa Airport.

In Ankara Akıncı first met with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu then he met with the President of Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

At the joint press conference organized by the two Presidents, a desire for a solution to the Cyprus Problem within this year was emphasized.

Turkey’s President Erdogan stated that they had the opportunity to talk about what steps to take about the Cyprus issue and what role to take in the period in front of them. Erdoğan said:

“We have supported all kinds of approach in good faith and the UN’s efforts so far. We are hoping to reach a solution within the framework of principles of the Joint statement dated 11th February.  I want to underline specially this matter. It is not possible to get a result with only efforts and dedication of the Turkish side. So far our Turkish brothers have showed all kinds of effort, put strong will, and have proven that they are the willing party for a solution. From now on the Greek side should stop riding the job uphill, and show sincere effort. If this can happen we believe 2015 will be the year of a solution in Cyprus. The opportunity for a solution should not be wasted as in 2004. We can however reach a solution at the negotiating table within the framework of the UN. Apart from this, putting pressure on Turkey or the Turkish Cypriot side to reach an outcome is useless. So far however we supported up to today, and we will continue our support.

Erdoğan who gave information about the work to realize a major project he qualified as the “Century Project” to meet the water needs of the TRNC pointed out that 75 million cubic meters of drinking and irrigation water per year, will be brought to Cyprus with the drinking water supply project.

President Akıncı also stated that the Cyprus problem has come to an important threshold point and said: “After I have been elected, I’m observing a positive atmosphere in the international environment, which is an additional source of power. I believe at this new case that the international conjuncture has brought, we will show efforts to move further the vision of solution we have been continuing for so long.”  Akıncı pointed out that this will not be a one sided effort, and that he wished for the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration Anastasiades to share the solution vision he revealed during the election campaign and also in the handover ceremony later. Akıncı expressed that Anastasiades is the only Greek Cypriot leader who said yes to the 2004 referendum of the Annan Plan but no longer carried on that position because of 75 percent of “No’s.  Akıncı wished, Anastasiades’ vision in 2004 comes up again today at the new situation, and they reach a conclusion of the negotiations which have been going on since 1968 by maintaining a useful dialogue process and the Turkish Cypriot community becomes part of the international community.

Cicek: “TRNC is in a way in the position of an open prison”

Speaker of the Parliament of Turkey Cemil Cicek  stated that he supported a permanent solution for the Cyprus problem and he expects the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table, “TRNC is in a way in the position of an open prison and it is isolated” he said.

Çiçek had official contacts on the second day of his visit to Turkmenistan and he called out to the authorities and he said “if you have contacts about the embargoes on the TRNC, you will encourage the process.”

Çiçek also stated that policy of neutrality is important and carried on successfully “you know that you have brothers in the TRNC. It will be beneficial to give an opportunity to the visits from the TRNC at the parliamentary level. They are visiting parliaments of many countries and having mutual meetings. It will also be good for us if they come here too”, he said.

Özyiğit: “Historical opportunity has occurred for a solution”

Leader of the Communal Democracy Party Cemal Özyiğit emphasized that an historical opportunity has occurred for a solution; in order not to miss this opportunity both of the sides have a big responsibility.

According to his written statement; he pointed out that after Mustafa Akıncı’s recent election as the President by a large majority, a positive climate has been created and he also stated that it is encouraging that the climate created by the leaders of the two communities.  Özyiğit also stated that when the two leaders will meet and dine on May 11, they will decide the date that they will start the negotiation process officially.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

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