TRNC News Today 15^th October 2015

Minister Emine Çolak meets with Foreign Minister Sinirlioğlu

Foreign Minister Emine Çolak met with Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, within the framework of her contacts in Istanbul where she attended the 8th Summit Meeting of the Global Migration and Development Forum.

During their meeting, Çolak and Sinirlioğlu discussed the ongoing negotiation process which aims to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and Çolak conveyed information to Sinirlioğlu regarding the latest developments at the negotiations. Emphasizing the importance of reaching a settlement, Minister Çolak expressed that the strong support of Turkey is significantly contributing to enabling the TRNC to conduct the negotiations with greater strength.

Foreign Minister Emine Çolak reiterated to Sinirlioğlu her condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded as a result of the terror attack which took place in Ankara. Çolak expressed that the TRNC, as always, sincerely shares the pain of the people of the Republic of Turkey.

At the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu emphasized that their support to the TRNC will continue in every field. Minister Sinirlioğlu stated that their biggest wish is for the negotiations to be concluded with a just and viable settlement and for sustainable peace to be achieved.

8th Global Forum on Migration and Development started

The 8th Global Forum on Migration and Development Summit Meeting, which has been organized under the Chairmanship of Turkey since July 1, 2014 and which is hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Feridun Sinirlioğlu, started in Istanbul.

Foreign Minister Emine Çolak is attending the Summit at which 150 countries are represented upon the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Feridun Sinirlioğlu.

Senior officials of international organizations and representatives of non-governmental organizations are also participating in the Summit Meeting.

Last night Minister Çolak also attended the official dinner to which the other participant Ministers were also invited.

Akıncı: “Arrival of water has a great importance but we should also preserve our resources”

President Mustafa Akıncı said that the arrival of water has a great importance but we should also preserve our resources.

Receiving the Union Platform delegation under the head of Arslan Bıçaklı, Akıncı said that the water issue is not an issue which can be solved without Municipalities.

Reminding of the term when he was a Mayor, President Akıncı said that between the years of 1976-1990, water affairs were not under the authority of Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality but following the end of his mission, within one year, water affairs were brought under the authority of Municipalities. Akıncı stressed that the water issue cannot be solved without Municipalities and added that his attitude is certain on this issue.

Akıncı to give the first lecture of the new academic year at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

President Mustafa Akıncı has gone to Turkey in order to give the first lecture of the new academic year at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University.

Today, Akıncı will attend the opening ceremony of the 2015-2016 Education and Training Year of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University and give the first lecture of the new academic year.

Akıncı will return to the island on Friday 16 October. Private Secretary Cenk Gürçağ is accompanying Akıncı during his Çanakkale visit.

Harmancı will not join the visit of Cretu

Mayor of Lefkoşa Mehmet Harmancı will not join the Bandabulya-Bedesten visit of the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu on Friday.

According to the statement of Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality, Mayor Harmancı will not join the visit due to the statement of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus shared in the social media. It was stressed that according to the statement of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, the political equality was disregarded between the mayors of the two sides however the language of the international institutions, used in such a period when both leaders of Cyprus are trying to find a solution based on political equality, has a great importance. It was reminded that as the Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality, many joint activities and projects have been organized with all organizations of the European Union up to today in order to develop mutual cooperation, reintroduce the EU assets into the society and to support the efforts for a solution in Cyprus.

According to the statement of Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality Foreign Relations Office, the necessary initiatives have been made with the authorities of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus to find a remedy for the issue but there is not any positive development that is why this decision is taken.

Egypt Ambassador Mubarak visited President of Religious Affairs Atalay

Egypt Ambassador to Nicosia Hussein Abdelkarim Tantawy Mubarak visited President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Talip Atalay.

Speaking at the visit which took place on Wednesday 14th October, Mubarak stated that he started his new duty in Cyprus and he preferred to pay his first visit to the Presidency of Religious Affairs.

Ambassador Hussein Mubarak stated that he believed that the communication between religious leaders which took place under the leadership of the President of Religious Affairs Atalay and Archbishop Chrysostomos will provide an important contribution to peace.

Mubarak mentioned that these studies which are being conducted among the religious leaders on the issue of living together in peace is going to be a model for the region and the world.

In his speech, Mubarak pointed out that Egypt-Cyprus relations have a strong and long history and the people of Egypt need to know the Turkish Cypriot people well.

“Work of de-mining teams continues”

Presidential Spokesperson Barış Burcu explained that the de-mining works which was started by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) still continue in both of the areas within the framework of confidence building measures after the agreement on opening of Derinya and Aplıç Gates.

According to his written statement, it is reported that the mine detecting work which is on the existing road in Derinya will be clarified after the test conducted by UNMAS after 24 October and moreover road widening and wiring and other infrastructure works will be set to begin after the road safety provided.

KTTO to participate in the Economic Forum in Luxemburg

Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) is participating in the “Eurochambres Economic Forum”.

The first Session of the Eurochambres Economic Forum was organized in İstanbul in 2013 and the second will be held on 15-16 October 2015 hosted by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

It is reported that Prince of Luxembourg Guillaume is also expected to participate in the opening ceremony of the forum which is entitled “The Future of Chambers”.

Important issues on the agenda will be discussed at the Chamber of Commerce at the event at which over 200 participants are expected.

Lefke will take Cittaslow title in Sweden

Two years official work of municipality, university and non-governmental organizations in Lefke, in order to be a member of International City Residents Association (Cittaslow International), has reached a positive result. Lefke Municipality will take the Cittaslow title in the ceremony which will be held in Sweden on 7 November.

The Cittaslow membership certificate and the flag will be presented to Lefke at the meeting, which will be held in the Falköping city of Sweden on 7 November.

Lefke Municipality had submitted the letter of intent for the Cittaslow membership in March this year. Following Yeniboğaziçi, with the acceptance of Lefke to the membership, the number of Cittaslow titled cities in TRNC will rise to 2.

The goal of the Cittaslow movement which is spread over 182 members in 28 countries today is to move the Slow Food philosophy to the urban dimension.