TRNC News Today 22^nd July 2015

Assembly will hold extraordinary meeting today

The Assembly of the Republic will hold an extraordinary meeting today with the aim of reading CTP BG-UBP coalition government program.

The new government program will be read in the plenary session under the Presidency of Speaker of the Assembly.

The Assembly will start discussions regarding the program on Saturday. In case the discussions end on the same day, a vote of confidence will be realized on Monday. If the discussions continue, voting will be on Tuesday.

President Akıncı: “Both communities are tired of solution efforts”

President Mustafa Akıncı indicated that both communities in the island especially the Turkish Cypriots are tired of solution efforts and the current opportunity may be the last one. Akıncı added “There is nothing undiscussed. Political will and determination is needed for the solution of the Cyprus problem”.

In his briefing for the foreign guest parliamentarians who have been in the TRNC for the ceremonies for 20th July Peace and Freedom Day, President Akıncı stressed that although the Turkish Cypriots voted ‘yes’ for the Annan plan, they could not be a member of the European Union due to ‘no’ votes of the Greek Cypriots and the future of the Turkish Cypriots are determined with the decision of others.

Furthermore, Akıncı expressed that there is a long way to be taken in the negotiations to reach a solution but it is possible to reach a solution within months if the current speed of negotiations continue. Adding that it should be known that as well as political determination, empathy and consensus are also needed to reach a solution, Akıncı said “If we do not find a solution now, we cannot find any other opportunity because both communities especially our community are tired of the solution efforts. We have experienced many disappointments during the past years.”

Foreign Minister Emine Çolak : “It is possible for the two communities to establish a future for themselves with the soul of cooperation”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Çolak gave a briefing to the foreign media members who are visiting our country within the framework of celebration activities of 20th July Peace and Freedom Day.

Informing the media members concerning the ongoing negotiation process and the Cyprus problem, Çolak stated that there is a more positive and better atmosphere in the negotiation process comparing with the past and added that the social activities where TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı and leader of Greek Cypriot administration Nikos Anastasiades attended together gave positive messages to both peoples.

Stating that different languages, religions and races of the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots do not constitute an obstacle for a solution, Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Çolak expressed that it is possible for the two communities to establish a future for themselves with the soul of cooperation.

Mentioning the issue of natural gas in her speech, Minister Çolak underlined that the natural gas issue should not be an issue of conflict and that sides should concentrate on cooperation opportunities.

Stressing the importance of reaching a settlement which will make both sides feel themselves under guarantee, Foreign Minister Çolak said that Turkey and Greece can contribute to a solution with a vision for common cooperation.

Emine Çolak pointed out that the non-governmental organizations have a positive role and have the perspective for a solution, which they proved during the time of the Annan Plan.

At the end of her speech she emphasized that it was time to reach a solution on the Cyprus problem which had lasted for many years and she said that an atmosphere that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots can look confidently to the future should be provided in the island.

Foreign Minister Çolak receives foreign politicians

Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Çolak has received foreign politicians who have been in the TRNC within the framework of celebrations for 20th July Peace and Freedom Day.

Minister Çolak informed foreign politicians about the continuing negotiation process and the latest stage reached in the Cyprus problem.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot side is working on the base of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, Çolak expressed that there is a more positive atmosphere in the negotiation process compared to the past and the Cyprus problem which has been continuing for years should reach a solution from now on.

KTEZO and POVEK representatives came together

The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen (KTEZO) and the Greek Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen (POVEK) officials came together.

Committees attended the meeting under the presidency of representative of POVEK Yorgos Ellindi and the General coordinator of KTEZO Hürrem Tulga.

Representatives of the organization mentioned “the genuine relationship they developed based on respect since the beginning of 2000s” and stated that in the past they worked hard together for the opening of Lokmaci Gate and succeeded in doing so.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that if tradesmen and craftsmen in Cyprus continue to struggle, this will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem and to the improvement of relations between the communities.

Seeking friendly settlement on the Hellim issue

It was stated that the case opened by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry against companies that make Hellim production and trade in Turkey and seeking for a friendly solution on the second case is continuing.

The President of Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry Ali Çıralı made a statement to Cyprus newspaper and said that the first case was opened against “Sütaş” and production was stopped with a court order. But the company continues to produce the same product under the name “Fried cheese” he said. Regarding the second case Ali Çıralı noted that production stopped with the decision of the court, but he did not give the company’s name because of its request for a friendly solution. Çıralı said that there are approximately 10 companies in Turkey which produce under the name of “Hellim” and they will open more cases against them but each case is costing about a hundred thousand Turkish Lira.

Visit to Hala Sultan Tekke

Approximately one thousand people from North Cyprus visited the Hala Sultan Tekke in South Cyprus yesterday.

The organization was carried out within the framework of the Ramadan Bairam and 21 buses crossed over to South Cyprus carrying approximately one thousand people. Whilst visiting the tomb of Hala Sultan, prayers were read out and a religious ceremony was held at the Hala Sultan Mosque by the Religious Affairs Department. Head of the Department Talip Atalay and Sweden’s Ambassador to Nicosia Klas Gierov, who is leading the Inter-Religion Dialogue, were also present in the visit. Speaking during the visit Gierov emphasized that the visit was very important in terms of contributing to peace on the island and building peace between the two communities.

Photograph exhibition named “Ottoman Works and Doors in Cyprus” to be opened

Cyprus Visual Arts Association (GÖSAD) will open a photograph exhibition named “Ottoman Works and Doors in Cyprus” in Saçaklı House in Selimiye Mosque today. The exhibition will be opened to visit at 19:30 by Public Works, Environment and Culture Minister Kutlu Evren.

International success by F3J national team

Salahi Tezel from the Turkish Cypriot Air Sports Federation, came first and Erel Cankan came third in the “Interglide F3J Model Plane Euro Tour Competition” held in the UK.

As a result of the qualification lap held in the first and second day, among 7 sportsmen, Mehmet Serden, Salahi Tezel and Erel Cankan became entitled to make the final flight.

At the end of fly off flights, Salahi Tezel came first by taking full scores in 3 flights and TRNC National Team sportsman Erel Cankan came third.

Two Turkish Cypriot sportsmen went up to the rostrum for the first time in the history of F3J Euro Tour. Another Turkish Cypriot sportsman Mehmet Serden came sixth at the end of fly off flights.