TRNC News Today 10^th August 2015

51st Anniversary of Erenköy Resistance commemorated with a ceremony at Erenköy Martyrdom

The 51st Anniversary of Erenköy Resistance and the resistance martyrs were remembered with a ceremony. Speaking at the ceremony President Mustafa Akıncı stated that they wanted a solution that would ensure the freedom, equality and security of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Stating that not only the leaders, but the people will decide about a solution, Akıncı said: “This is a process in which the government, parliament and civil society organizations will go hand in hand together with all sections of the community.”

Reminding that half a century ago, university students left their studies and took arms in the Erenköy Resistance, President Akıncı said :“They gave up and sacrificed their own lives in the ring of fire so that the Turkish Cypriot people could live in freedom. I remember them with respect and mercy.”

Emphasizing that this sacrifice was made for the Turkish Cypriot people to attain a deserved life on this land Akıncı said: “They wrote an epic here. They resisted against a supreme power in every way. Providing to the Turkish people the life that they deserve is our debt to the martyrs.”

Referring to the negotiations, Akıncı noted that they wanted a solution that would ensure the security, equality and the freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people. Akıncı said that there is no point for a referendum yet and when that point is reached, people will decide to a solution and sufficient time will be provided for that.

Foreign Minister Emine Çolak: “My vision is to be able to contribute to the process conducted by the President”

Foreign Minister Emine Çolak underlined that as the new Foreign Minister her vision is to be able to contribute to the process conducted by the President, Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Anastasiades. Çolak also emphasized that the second part of her vision is that the will for a solution of the Turkish Cypriot side during the ongoing process should be told especially to the European Union and the outside world. Daily Kıbrıs Postası newspaper reported that Minister Çolak made a statement and said: “Whatever knowhow and experienced staff members we have in the Foreign Ministry, I want to give the necessary support and contribution to the President during this process. As you know there are not only two leaders and negotiators at the table. There are some different committees under them. The European Union comprises economic, humanistic and property issues. I would like to mediate in this issue as a Foreign Minister so that some staff members may be helpful about these issues in order to contribute to the process.

The second part of my vision is to reach the outside world and to reach every place as much as possible. This positive atmosphere, the new developments which encourage us towards peace and their reflection to the outside world are very important. The main point is besides telling to the outside world how willing and committed we are, we also need to see the same eagerness from the Greek Cypriot side. Because we are talking with them, but they are talking with the others as well. Answering a question whether the Greek Cypriot side still puts obstructions about opening foreign representatives, Çolak stated that present condition is going on and construction of a new trust in this issue is needed.

Akıncı to hold ‘First 100 days of Presidency’ press conference

President Akıncı will hold a press conference tomorrow at which he will evaluate his performance in the first 100 days of his Presidency. According to a statement from the spokesman Barış Burcu, ‘First 100 days of Presidency’ press conference will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 at Merit Hotel Conference Room in Lefkoşa.

TDP youth organization and NEDISI signed a joint declaration

It was reported that the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Youth Organization and Democratic Rally Party Youth Organization (NEDISI) signed a joint declaration.

The joint declaration which was signed by TDP Youth Organization Foreign Relations Secretary Armağan Aktan and NEDISI President Petros Demetriou emphasized that the Cyprus problem comprises in general the determination towards a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution based on political equality and peace, cooperation and mutual solidarity as stated in the joint text which was signed on February 11, 2014.

TDP President Özyigit emphasized that during this period at which intensive effort is spent for peace by both community leaders, their task requires convergence on each platform and both communities need to understand each other and learn from each other and cooperate in setting up a joint future.

ELAM and Hrisi Avgi: “Betrayers and supporters of federation”

There was an incident at a commemoration ceremony at Paralimni cemetery in South Cyprus. According to Greek news sources; extreme right ELAM and Hrisi Avgi members who attended the activity cursed the Minister of Energy Yorgos Lakkotripis, the Minister of Agriculture Nikos Kuyalis, political party representatives and local authorities. At the same time they shouted “Betrayers, supporters of federation and bandits.”