TRNC News Today 29^th June 2015

Substantial negotiations started today

President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades have met again today to start substantial negotiations.

UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide also attended the meeting today.

According to the statement of UNFICYP, Eide will help leaders to solve all substantial issues which could not be solved yet.

Eide will stay in the island until Thursday 2 July, and will hold various meetings with the concerned sides.

During his stay in the island, Eide will also lead the meeting of negotiators to be held after the meeting of the leaders.

Statement delivered by Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on behalf of the Leaders

Determined to keep the pace of their meetings and in line with their joint commitment to a leader-led process, the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mustafa Akıncı, met today in a positive and results-orientated atmosphere.

The leaders are now immersed in substantive negotiations. Their focus is on unresolved core issues. To enable their discussions today, the negotiators provided the leaders with an update on the work they have carried out on a specific set of core issues across the chapters of governance, property and criteria on territory.

Mr Akıncı and Mr Anastasiades discussed those issues at length in a pragmatic and constructive manner, making further progress. They provided new guidance to the negotiators, who will meet three more times this week to carry forward their work on core issues.

On the topic of confidence building measures, the leaders continued their exchange. They took stock of the work done to implement already agreed confidence building measures, expressing satisfaction with the progress made to date. Mr. Anastasiades and Mr. Akıncı expect that practical solutions to any pending issues will soon be found, bringing the implementation of those measures closer to completion.

The leaders exchanged views on the economic prospects that would arise from a solution.

With substantive negotiations now at the centre of their work, Mr. Akıncı and Mr. Anastasiades reiterated their resolve to reach a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible.

Within the positive climate, the leaders will jointly participate in the event that will be co-organized by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on 8 July. On the same day, they will also jointly participate in a meeting with religious leaders.

Their next Leaders’ meeting will be on Friday, 10 July.

Akıncı: “EU should prepare Turkish Cypriots for a solution”

According to the announcement made by the President’s office, the Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı is set to travel to Brussels today for a series of high level contacts with the EU officials. Within the framework of his Brussels visit Akıncı will come together with the President of the EU Parliament Martın Shultz alongside other high level EU officials. Akıncı will return to the Island on Friday after completing his contacts in Brussels. Akıncı will convey the messages as: “The EU should prepare Turkish Cypriots for a solution in Cyprus. The EU has great responsibilities in this process” and “It’s time for a solution in Cyprus, we should not lose any time.” Speaking to Milliyet newspaper President Akıncı said: “The EU should contribute to the negotiation process in Cyprus however the negotiations will continue within the UN process.”

On the other hand the two Cypriot leaders have met today and according to the statement they made after their previous meeting Akıncı and Anastasiades are expected to give a start to the substantive talks. Administration and Power Sharing, Property, EU Affairs, Guarantees, Territory and Map, and Economy issues will be on the table. The leaders will continue to negotiate on the ‘Anastasiades – Akıncı Convergence Papers’ prepared by the negotiators of both sides. (Milliyet Newspaper)

Kasulidis: “We discuss issue of guarantors with UK”

Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Yoannis Kasulidis stated that there are proposals regarding Confidence Building measures in Lefkoşa and negotiations have been continuing with the UK on the issue of guarantorship.

Greek Cypriot daily Kathimerini noted the interview with Kasulidis. As an answer to a question, Kasulidis said that President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades agreed on not to negotiate in front of the public opinion that’s why he will not make any statement about the issues discussed during the negotiations.

In his interview, Kasulidis also expressed that they have been negotiating the guarantorship issue with UK adding that first of all, both sides should decide how the issue of security will be developed. Furthermore, Kasulidis said “I do not think that the UK will put obstacles on the issue”.

Hristofias: “We pay price of intrigues of Anastasiades”

In his interview to Simerini newspaper yesterday, Greek Cypriot former President Dimitris Hristofias said “We are paying the price of intrigues of Anastasiades”.

Stating that there was a leader in the Greek Cypriot side who desired a solution during the Presidency of Derviş Eroğlu, Hristofias said Anastasiades became the President later and he caused loss of time.

According to the newspaper, Hristofias added that Anastasiades disregarded consensus on single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international representation that’s why they are paying the price of intrigues of Anastasiades.

Konstantopulu: “It is time for a solution”

According to Greek Cypriot daily Alithia, in his speech during the dinner in honour of President of Greek Cypriot parliament Yannakis Omiru, Konstantopulu wished for solution of the Cyprus problem.

President of Greek Parliament Zoi Konstantopulu stressed that it was time for a solution in Cyprus, and a solution to be reached must respect human rights, international law, communities living in equality, political equality and equality within the framework of bi-zonal bi-communal federation. President of Greek Parliament Zoi Konstantopulu stated that it is time for a solution in Cyprus.

Talat: “Negotiation draft in the government program will be finalized today”

Leader of Republican Turkish Party – United Powers (CTP-BG) Mehmet Ali Talat announced that they aimed to finalize the negotiation draft in the government program during the meetings to be held by Central Executive Committee and the Party Assembly and then they will start to negotiate with the political parties.

Talat stated that in the meetings to be held today, CTP-BG will be sensitive concerning the issue of the government to be formed, they aimed to finalize the negotiation draft in the government program.

Tatar: “A solution should improve economic and social life”

National Unity Party (UBP) Lefkoşa Parliamentarian Ersin Tatar, emphasized that a solution to be found for the Cyprus problem should improve economic and social life of the Turkish Cypriots. In a written statement, Tatar hoped that a result will be achieved without delay in the substantive negotiations which will be held by President Mustafa Akinci and the leader of Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Anastasiades.

Ersin Tatar said “Keeping the Turkish Cypriot people as the sufferer of the deadlock, and preventing us from having the status we deserve should be ended”.

Missing martyr Bayar Piskobulu buried with a military ceremony

Missing martyr Bayar Piskobulu who was lost in Lefkoşa in 1964 and identified as a result of works done was buried with a military ceremony on Friday 26 June. According to the information of Lefkoşa District Governor Alkan Değirmencioğlu, Piskobulu was to be buried following funeral prayers on Friday 26 June, at Lefkoşa Cemetery.

Crisis in Greece alarms South Cyprus

The crisis caused because of disagreement in the negotiations between Greece and Troika alarms South Cyprus. Greek Cypriot newspapers noted that Greek Prime Minister Aleksis Tsipras convened the Council of Ministers extraordinarily and a decision for a referendum was taken concerning the approval of the financial program when financial austerity program was not agreed in the negotiations held between International Monetary Fund and European Union.

The newspapers stated that the decision for a referendum taken by the Greek government was reacted to by Euro Group, a highly critical referendum will be held in Greece on 5 July. They also added that following the decision for a referendum taken by Tsipras, the Greek citizens, experienced as in South Cyprus in 2013, queued in front of the automated teller machine (ATM) for the fear that the banks will be closed and they will run out of money and they rushed into the markets.

The newspapers also underlined that the crisis in Greece will lead to a crisis also in South Cyprus and they included the statements of Spokesperson of Greek Cypriot government Nikos Hristodulidis related to the issue.

According to the news of Greek Cypriot daily Alithia, in the statement made to Greek Cypriot News Agency, Hristodulidis pointed out that the Greek Cypriot government follows the developments closely and emphasized the importance that Greece should stay in the Euro zone.

Stating that Greek leader Nikos Anastasiades supports the Greek thesis in the meeting of European Council held in Brussels, Hristodulidis pointed out that what is important for South Cyprus is that the events should continue as Greece will be a member of the Euro zone.

Replying to a question concerning the dangers to be caused if Greece leaves the Euro zone, Hristodulidis said that the government hopes such a danger will not be caused.