TRNC News Today 15^th September 2015

Akıncı: “Rotational presidency is essential for our political equality”

President Mustafa Akıncı said that the rotational presidency is the inevitable consequence of the political equality.

Indicating the bi-zonal, bi-communal federal structure based on political equality, Akıncı said: “If we say that the Turkish Cypriots can never head this structure, it means there is no political equality. We insist on this issue and it is on the agenda. We suppose that it will end with a compromise. We hope it will be solved in a positive way”.

President Mustafa Akıncı gave a press release on his return to the Presidential Palace following the meeting with the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades. Akıncı stated that if a consensus is reached which satisfies the two sides on the issues of territory, property, administration, power sharing, EU matters and economy, a way out can be found on the guarantee issue.

On the issue of guarantee, President Mustafa Akıncı indicated that this was not a subject that the two sides could decide on their own and said: “There are 3 guarantor countries which also need to reach a consensus with the two sides. There is no new offer in this area yet. If we approach a serious compromise in other areas, I believe that there will be a way out also on this issue”.

Expressing that they met for the 9th time with the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades, Akıncı said that they were not at the point where they started and they are proceeding in a positive direction.

Negotiations will be intensified

President Mustafa Akıncı and the Leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Anastasiades decided to intensify negotiations after 30 October 2015.

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide made a statement after the Leaders’ meeting in the buffer zone and said that the leaders believe that the coming months will be critical for the solution process.

Eide stated that the Leaders made a decision to meet on Monday 12 October 2015 and Friday 30 October 2015 and they agreed to intensify their work thereafter and increase the frequency of their meetings in the coming months.

Statement delivered by the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on behalf of the Leaders on 14th September 2015 is as follows:

“Today, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mustafa Akinci, and the Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, discussed the state of play across chapters since negotiations resumed four months ago.

The negotiators provided the leaders with an update on the work they have carried out since the meeting of the leaders on 1 September 2015. The leaders acknowledged the careful and constructive efforts of the negotiators and their teams. While encouraged by the progress being made, the leaders recognize the hard work that lies ahead.

The leaders believe that the coming months will be critical for the process. They will next meet on Monday 12 October 2015 and Friday 30 October 2015. The leaders agreed to intensify their work thereafter and increase the frequency of their meetings in the coming months, expressing their commitment to work tirelessly to reach a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible.”

President Akıncı received Eide

President Mustafa Akıncı received the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide after yesterday’s leaders meeting at the buffer zone.

The meeting was held closed to the press. However Eide spoke to the press after the meeting and said that the meeting was very fruitful.

Noting that it had been 4 months since the start of intense negotiations, Eide pointed out that the leaders had met 9 times and the negotiators had met 40 times and nearly all issues were taken up. He indicated that the leaders were waiting for the right time to announce the details of the talks. He said the coming months were of importance and the two leaders had pledged themselves to the negotiations with no time to lose.

Turkish Chief of General Staff to arrive today

Turkey’s Chief of General Staff, Full General Hulusi Akar is coming to the island for an official visit today.

According to the press reports, Full General Akar will meet with President Akıncı, Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber and Prime Minister Ömer Kalyoncu today.

President Akıncı will receive Akar at 15:40 today.

İzbul to visit Ankara

The Minister of Health Salih İzbul will go to Ankara today on the invitation of Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu.

İzbul who will meet with the Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu on Wednesday, will also hold contacts with the various health institutions in Ankara.

During the meeting which will be held at the Turkish Health Ministry, the Ministers will discuss the existing cooperation between the two countries in the health sector as well as bringing new initiatives.

‘7th Conference on Machines, Computations and Universality’ hosted by the Eastern Mediterranean University

‘7th Conference on Machines, Computations and Universality (MCU)’ took place between 9 and 11 September 2015.

In his opening speech at the Conference, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sözen expressed his happiness in hosting such an important conference and the valuable scientists in the TRNC.