TRNC News Today 27^th May 2015

Akıncı: “It is time to start a new era”

President Mustafa Akıncı stressed that he believes with his whole heart that it is time to move on to a new era in Cyprus after years of ongoing deadlock, an era which will protect the legitimate rights and interests of both sides, which will make it possible for all of us to live in equality and safety. Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu arrived in Cyprus for an official visit yesterday and was received by the TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı.  Akıncı and Çavuşoğlu held a joint press conference after the meeting with delegations.

Akıncı stated that he found an opportunity to evaluate the negotiation process with Çavuşoğlu and pointed out the support of the Turkish Republic. “We are very pleased with the recent developments and that the two leaders have agreed to meet twice a month,” Çavuşoğlu said.

Furthermore, adding that both sides are aware of the opportunities of a permanent solution in Cyprus, Çavuşoğlu said that a solution to be reached will be beneficial for both sides. Çavuşoğlu said that Cyprus island will be an island of peace, development and prosperity.

Within the framework of his TRNC visit, Çavuşoğlu was also received by Speaker of the Assembly, Sibel Siber and Prime Minister Özkan Yorgancıoğlu yesterday.

Akıncı: “A good start is important, but result is much more important”

President Mustafa Akıncı stated that they have made a good start in the negotiation process towards a solution, adding “Good starts are important, continuation is important as well but the result of this process is much more important”.

President Akıncı also said that when the start is good, it gives us a chance to continue the process and gives us a hope. Akıncı also stated that within the framework of Cyprus negotiation process, he will meet with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades for the second time on 28th May.

Receiving the Board of Directors of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce under the Presidency of Fikri Toros, Akıncı pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce is one of the important organizations of Turkish Cypriot Community and he stated that this organization will play an important role in the future as in the past.

Leaders to meet again tomorrow

President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades will meet again tomorrow (28^th May) within the framework of the Cyprus negotiations.

The two leaders will meet in the buffer zone at 10:00 tomorrow. UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide will be arriving on island tomorrow and will be at the meeting with the leaders.

The talks resumed again on the 15th of May with their first meeting. They also met again on the 23rd of May at a social gathering where they walked around the north and south ends of the Arasta and Ledra Street.

US Ambassador: “I personally do not regard the Cyprus issue as essentially a problem of invasion and occupation”

I personally do not regard the Cyprus issue as essentially a problem of “invasion” and “occupation”, U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus John M. Koenig has said,  noting that it`s up to the Cypriots to reclaim the Cyprus Dream.

Koenig was speaking at an open discussion held on Tuesday by the University of Cyprus and US Embassy in Cyprus on “Cyprus at a Crossroads: A diplomat reflects on three decades of engagement with the Eastern Mediterranean.” on the occasion of his retirement from the US Department of State.

In reply to a question from the audience, Koenig said that: “I personally do not regard the Cyprus issue as essentially a problem of invasion and occupation. If you don`t like it, I can`t help it. I do not regard that as the core of the Cyprus problem”.

“That is a huge problem however and the mechanism exists in order to reconcile the issues and it is the Cyprus settlement negotiations which take place under the aegis of the United Nations. This will address all of the issues related to the Cyprus conflict”, he added.

The American Ambassador went on to say that “the Cyprus conflict of course began 51 years ago and in that context of course it took a huge and tragic turn in 1974 and I am not in any way justifying what happened then, but it cannot be reduced to a problem of invasion and occupation. That is in fact to ignore your own history”.

So, he continued, “you have many things to deal with apart from Turkey`s presence on this island, the presence of Turkish troops which we do not support or accept, the presence of settlers which we do not condone. These all are issues that however need to be addressed in the context of settlement negotiations and we have to take into consideration the views of the Turkish Cypriot community as well”.

“This is what Cyprus solution is all about. This is also what reconciliation is about”, he said.

Koenig also said that “I don’t think I have met a Turkish Cypriot – maybe there are a few out there – who actually believes that the Cyprus problem is a problem of invasion and occupation and these are the people you need to make peace with. So you better pay attention to how they see the Cyprus problem as well”.

In his address, American Ambassador said, inter alia, that “ this is an extraordinary time in Cyprus. Just eleven days ago, Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci launched a new round of settlement negotiations under the most hopeful circumstances. Look around Cyprus. Beyond the island`s shores, there is turbulence, discord, danger.  On the island, the past few years also have not been easy ones, on either side. Yet the election on April 26 of Mustafa Akinci and the manifest goodwill both leaders have shown as they embark on a new round of talks, have galvanized the people of this island and grabbed the attention of policy makers in Washington and other capitals”.

He said that it brings to his mind Barack Obama`s second book published in 2006 “The Audacity of Hope: Reclaiming the American dream”.

“Please don`t miss this chance to bring the communities of this island back together and realize your aspirations for a better future. Every Cypriot has a role to play in this effort. As the American Ambassador, I can assure you the United States will do all we can to support the settlement process”, he said.

He concluded by saying that “as an American who has spent most of his life living with your successes and setbacks, your hopes and concerns, I promise I will never stop doing what I can to help you realize your vision of a reunited island. But it`s up to you, the Cypriots, to reclaim the Cyprus dream”.

Schoepff visited Atalay

Germany’s Ambassador to Nicosia Nikolai von Schoepff visited President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Talip Atalay. In his statement during the meeting, Ambassador Schoepff emphasized the importance of contribution to peace of the dialogue that was performed between religious leaders under the leadership of Mufti and Archbishop.  Schoepff also indicated that Germany supports the process and they want to give more support if it’s possible. He said he believes with the  arrival of President Mustafa Akıncı, the peace process, the dialogue between leaders and partnership will develop. Atalay said “Ambassadors visit with this aspect honoured us” and thanked Ambassador Schoepff for following communication between Religious leaders, peace talks for a permanent peace, and for supporting.  President Atalay completed his words by saying “I hope mutual relationships succeed, become a model not only for Cyprus but to those countries around the area and as a result of this process we reach a permanent peace”.

Greek Cypriot political parties are divided into two about federal solution

Greek Cypriot political parties are divided into two about founding a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution to Cyprus problem. While KS EDEK with Citizens Alliance, are allying against bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, AKEL and DISI made supporting statements for federation. Greek Cypriot Fileleftheros newspaper reported that President of KS EDEK Marinos Sizopulos and President of Citizens Alliance Yorgos Lillikas met yesterday and reached a consensus on rejection of bi- communal, bi- zonal federation.  Fileleftheros also noted that at the meeting of Sizopulos and Lillikas, the recent developments of the Cyprus Problem were discussed and the two party leaders have emphasized that it’s not important which party rejected the bi-communal, bi-zonal federation first but it is important that both parties rejected it.

Training police for optical reader

Training is being given to police and civil service officers of Immigration Offices who are working at air and seaports and land entrance points about the optical reader that will be applied on 4th June. In this context, a total of 284 staff are being trained about “Machine readable travel document reader software use” (optical Reader). Under the programme that started yesterday and will last until 3rd of June, staff will be given one day training. The programme prepared by The Police General Directorate (PGM), Department of Communication and Information is being performed in coordination with PGM Immigration Directorate.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

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