TRNC News Today 29^th July 2015

Leaders met at Othello Tower

President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades came together yesterday at Othello Tower in Famagusta.

At the event, which was organized by the Technical Committee on Culture, the bi-communal music group ‘Kyprogenia’ gave a concert, which was named ‘our music under the moonlight’.

The two negotiators Andreas Mavroyiannis and Özdil Nami, the UN Special Advisor Espen Barth Eide and the UN Special Representative to Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim as well as some religious representatives also attended the event.

Principle agreement on ownership divided Greek politicians

President Akıncı and Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades’s agreement on ownership which was announced as the principle agreement in respect to the individual property rights, divided Greek politicians. DISI and AKEL evaluated positive elements on the agreement but other parties found it negative. The Greek Cypriot newspaper Simerini put forward the review about the results obtained from the previous day’s talks of the two leaders and said that conflicts at the National Council were expected due to this.

Kanbay presented credentials to President Akıncı

Derya Kanbay who has been assigned as the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa, presented his credentials to President Mustafa Akıncı. In his short speech Ambassador Kanbay said; “We hope we will do good works in this beautiful country”. President Mustafa Akinci also wished Kanbay to pass his tenure of office in peace and health.

Akıncı stated that there are historical and cultural ties between the TRNC and Turkey. Akıncı said: “I wish that friendship and fraternal relations will increase between the two countries.” Akıncı stated that there is an important transition period in the Cyprus issue and said: “I hope to reach an agreement based on confidence and equality. This is the common belief of Turkey and the TRNC. I hope this dream becomes a reality in your period.”

Visit of Azerbaijan-Turkey Businessmen Association

Foreign Minister Emine Çolak received Azerbaijan-Turkey Businessmen Association committee in her office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Çolak presented a Cyprus-specific handmade craft to the committee.

Head of the committee Cemal Yangın, explained the purpose of their visit and presented a plaque and gifts which belong to Azerbaijan to Minister Çolak.

Yangın stated that they came to the TRNC to develop commercial cooperation, and to have discussions with the trade associations. He said that they intended to transport the most important products of the TRNC, potatoes and citrus, to the Russian market.

The representative of TRNC in Bakü Sadettin Topukçu accompanied the committee as well.

South Cyprus and Israel to work in collaboration

South Cyprus and Israel agreed to expand their cooperation on energy issues, such as the use of pipelines and electricity grids so that they can be linked to European markets.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Greek Cypriot Leader Nicos Anastasiades said they would seek to exploit the potential of natural gas in the sea bed beneath both countries.

Israel has reported some of the largest natural gas discoveries worldwide in the past decade, whereas South Cyprus found gas offshore in 2011.

Netanahyu said the two countries were exploring various options on collaboration, but did not elaborate. Anastasiades said among the options were an East Mediterranean pipeline and the Eurasia interconnector, a private project to transport to Europe electricity powered by natural gas.

Anastasiades said: “With the Prime Minister, we agree that the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon assets is a sovereign right that is instrumental in the wider regional context and as part of a reciprocally beneficial relationship.”

EU has filed an application to register Hellim as a product with protected designation of origin that belongs to Cyprus as a whole

The European Commission has filed an application to register the names “Halloumi/ Hellim”, in Greek and Turkish, as a product with Protected Designation of Origin that belongs to Cyprus as a whole. International audit and inspection company Bureau Veritas will make official controls on hellim’s production and quality standards. Also, The European Commission will propose amendments to the Green Line Regulation in order to facilitate trade in Cyprus.

The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker stated that registration of the Hellim in two languages demonstrates the commitment and willingness of the two communities to work together on the island. Juncker also said “The halloumi/hellim symbolizes the shared heritage of the communities who live in the island of Cyprus for centuries and appreciated both leaders for reaching this conclusion”.

The Greek administration had tried to make unilateral registration of hellim in the name of “halloumi/hellim” during recent years but could not reach this goal due to the opposition of some EU members.

Çavuşoğlu: “This opportunity must not be missed”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavusoğlu said it is the first time they have been so hopeful of a settlement in Cyprus and underlined that “this opportunity must not be missed. I hoped the Greek Cypriot side would not do something at the last minute, the Turkish side is ready for a settlement” he said. Çavuşoğlu pointed to the wall that divides the capital Nicosia and said it was time for a solution and for that “wall of embarrassment”’ to come down. He added: “It is shameful that such a wall exists between communities.” Cavusoğlu stated that there is compliance between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Akıncı and added that they were similar in some aspects, a sincere and positive energy has been formed between them and both are open minded and forthcoming. Even if there were differences of opinion this would be solved” he said.

Çavuşoğlu also announced that he will invite the Leader of AKEL Andros Kiprianou to Ankara. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu’s Cyprus message is as follows:

“The negotiations are going well in Cyprus. This opportunity must not be missed. The next time negotiation may not be for a settlement so we should all support these efforts. We do not say that as a threat. If a solution is rejected once again there will be other alternatives but now is not the time to discuss these issues”. Greece also supports the process but she should support more and the church should support as well. Çavuşoğlu also expressed the view that the closed city of Maraş should also be opened. Peace and harmony should come to the island. Maraş is an important component of the talks but it should not be perceived as a confidence building measure. (Milliyet)

Two events organized by Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot businessmen

Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot businessmen are organizing two events with the aim of contributing to the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

The joint event where the ‘Cyprus Commerce Forum’ will be announced will take place on Thursday night, and the panel discussion which will be attended by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot businessmen as well as some businessmen from Turkey, Greece and Europe will take place on Friday.

According to a statement by Metin Şadi, Head of the Cyprus Turkish Businessmen Association (İŞAD), they will hold a forum with their Greek Cypriot partner OEB on Thursday, 30^th July at 08.30p.m. at the Merit Hotel in Nicosia.

The meeting and the dinner, which will follow the meeting, will take place with the voluntary attendance of representatives of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot business world. At the event, the ‘Cyprus Commerce Forum’, which will take place with the cooperation of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot businessmen, will be announced.

Özdil Nami, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, and Andreas Mavroyiannis, the Greek Cypriot negotiator, are expected to attend the event.

Türkonfed (Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation), Greek representatives and UEAPME are also invited to the dinner.

While it is indicated that President Mustafa Akıncı will make the opening speech, Metin Şadi, Head of the Cyprus Turkish Businessmen Association (İŞAD), and Tarkan Kadooğlu, Head of the Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (Türkonfed), will also make a speech.

Joint event on Ledra Street

It is stated that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Craftsmen and Artisans (TCCCA) and the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Craftsmen and Artisans (POVEK) are planning to hold a joint event-festival on Ledra Street.

Greek Cypriot daily Haravgi reported that the event, which will be held by TCCCA and POVEK on Ledra Street, will be under the auspices of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality and the Greek Cypriot Municipality.