TRNC News Today 2^nd July 2015

Akıncı met with Tusk

President Mustafa Akıncı met with the President of European Council Donald Tusk. Within the framework of his contacts in Brussels, Akıncı met with Tusk at the European Union building.

Contribution of a comprehensive solution to be reached in Cyprus was discussed during the meeting. It was also stressed that if relation of the Turkish Cypriot side with the European Union develops, it will make contribution to the solution process, relations should be developed in all fields for Turkish Cypriots being ready for taking place within the European Union.

Within the framework of his Brussels contacts, Akıncı also met with European Conservatives and Reformists Group; Chair; Syed Kamall, Greens Group Co-Chairman Rebecca Harms, a political Group in the EP, Luxemburg MP Frank Engel and Chairman of European Economy and Social Committee Henri Malosse yesterday.

It was stated that during meeting with Malosse, advantages of the committee’s developing relations with the Turkish Cypriot non-governmental organisations was discussed.

Furthermore, during a meeting with group representatives of the European Parliament, support for a solution process and Turkish Cypriots taking place with observer status in the European Parliament was demanded.

Akıncı underlines the determination of the Turkish Cypriots concerning the solution

President Mustafa Akıncı met with President of European Parliament Martin Schulz in Brussels and emphasized the determination of the Turkish Cypriots concerning a solution in Cyprus.

Akıncı and Schulz organized a joint press conference following the meeting. Speaking at the press conference, Schulz stated that the European Parliament is ready to give the utmost support for a solution.

Within the framework of his visit to Brussels, Akıncı came together with the Presidents of 3 Institutions of European Union (European Union, European Commission and European Council).

Akıncı stated in the press conference that Turkish Cypriots do not want the continuation of the status quo and they want to see a solution for the next generations.

Akıncı said “We have also another reason for a solution. It is that the Turkish Cypriots had been “outside of international law” for many years. We want to be ‘the part and partner of European Union’. We want to be a part of international law and system”.

Desir to arrive in Cyprus

France’s Minister of State for European Affairs Harlem Desir will arrive in Cyprus on 2-3 July. On Friday, firstly, Desir will meet with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades and then President Mustafa Akıncı. The Akıncı-Desir meeting is expected to be held at 09:30.

In his statement regarding the meeting, Presidential Spokesperson Barış Burcu said that the Akıncı-Desir meeting is evaluated as an opportunity for the EU making contribution to the solution process in Cyprus.

Negotiators intensify their meetings

Turkish Cypriot negotiator Özdil Nami and Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyannis have intensified their meetings as part of substantial negotiations. The negotiators, who met the day before following the meetings of the leaders held on Monday and Tuesday, are going to meet again today. Following the meetings of the negotiators are to be held next week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the leaders will meet on 10 July. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide who hosted the negotiations will leave the island today.

According to the information obtained from the Spokesman of UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, Eide will return to Cyprus on Sunday in order to be present at the negotiations to be held next week.

The leaders who held 4 negotiations from the date of 15 May will meet on 10 and 27 July again. President Mustafa Akıncı and leader of Greek Cypriot administration Nikos Anastasiades will come together in a joint activity to be organized by Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Greek Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on 8 July. It is also expected that the leaders will meet with the religious leaders on the same day.

Klerides: “Solution can be achieved with concessions”

Former Member of Parliament Keti Klerides, the daughter of former leader of Greek Cypriot administration and founder of DISI Glafkos Klerides, said “Everybody should know and realize that there should be a give-and-take process. If everybody is dwelling on their red lines, a solution cannot be achieved. The solution can be achieved with concessions”.

Stating that a solution will be beneficial for both sides, Klerides said that TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı is in harmony with the leader of Greek Cypriot administration Nikos Anastasiades.

When the statements made by Archbishop Hrisostomos as ‘Turkish people will return to Turkey’ was reminded, Klerides said “I do not want to speak upon the statements of Hrisostomos, but those who are born in the island and are TRNC citizens will stay in the island. This is already in the Annan Plan. Now, there is not any different situation compared to the Annan Plan. I do not think it will become a problem”. (Haberal Kıbrıslı)

Kanbay’s appointment on Official Gazette

The Council of Ministers decision regarding Derya Kanbay’s appointment as Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa has been published in the Official Gazette.

According to Anadolu News Agency, places of duty of 40 Ambassadors have been changed. Halil İbrahim Akça will be appointed as Secretary General of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. According to the information given by Turkish Embassy in Lefkoşa, Akça will leave the TRNC and return to Turkey after the ceremony for 20 July Peace and Freedom Day. Kanbay is expected to arrive in the TRNC at the beginning of August.

Negotiators met again

Turkish Cypriot negotiator Özdil Nami and Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyannis met again today. The meeting started at 9:00am in Ledra Palace Hotel located in the buffer zone under control of UN.

The Negotiators will hold 3 meetings this week. Before the meeting of the leaders to be held on 10 July, the Negotiators will hold 4 meetings. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide will attend the meetings of the negotiators and meetings of the leaders as well.