TRNC News Today 21^st October 2015

Eide: “Negotiations can’t continue forever”

UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide stated that there isn’t any specific time table for a settlement, but the negotiations can’t continue forever.

In a statement to the press after the meeting with President Mustafa Akıncı, Eide pointed out that the leaders are in an intense phase in the process and they agreed to meet more frequently.

Pointing out that the Cypriots have been negotiating for generations, Eide stated that at present there is a real willingness and opportunity towards the solution.

Presidential Spokesperson Barış Burcu said after the meeting between President Mustafa Akıncı and UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide that they evaluated the issues concisely and widely.

At the same time Burcu said “Our commitment and efforts will continue towards a bi-zonal and bi-communal solution. For this purpose, we anticipate a much more intensive work program and more frequent meetings at the level of the leaders in November. We agreed on this understanding.”

Finally Burcu expressed his wish that a solution to the Cyprus problem would be possible with cooperation and goodwill.

Akıncı opened the bi-communal ceramic exhibition

President Mustafa Akıncı opened the bi-communal ceramic exhibition named “Together Again” at the Saçaklı Ev on 19 October.

Stressing that the art activities make life more meaningful, President Akıncı drew attention to the importance of artistic activities which were carried out by the artists of the two communities.

Akıncı said “the culture and art people of the two communities can make serious contributions to the settlement and the peace, I believe this.”

President Akıncı also reminded that a step was taken in arts for peace when he was the Mayor of Lefkosa Turkish Municipality and a Turkish play was staged at a Greek theatre.

At the end of his speech Akıncı wished that the bi-communal art activities continue at an increasing pace.

Information meeting at the EP on the issue of the Cyprus problem

The Cyprus problem is going to be examined at the European Parliament today at the meeting entitled “Cyprus negotiations, current stage and perspectives.”

CTP Leader Mehmet Ali Talat and AKEL Secretary General Andros Kiprianu were invited to Brussels to make speeches during the meeting which will be held between 15:00-18:30 at the European Parliament.

Talat will make his speech in Turkish and Andros Kiprianu will make his speech in Greek language.

Dedeoğlu: “Negotiations are positive in Cyprus”

Turkish Minister for the EU Affairs Beril Dedeoğlu who is making contacts in Brussels said “Negotiations are continuing in Cyprus. We are meeting with different commissioners to discuss which chapters can be more important when the negotiations end, what kind of preparations should be made for these issues.  We are also informing them about our preparations. We have some chapters which can be opened today. Only the political will is needed for this. The Cyprus negotiations are proceeding in a very positive way and that’s why I think the next year will be a very busy year.”

Dedeoğlu also stated that some countries demanded opening of some chapters and he thinks that the European Commission will not oppose the removal of some blockades, adding that Turkey’s progressing report which is expected to be published has not been on the agenda of the meetings.

During her visit to Turkey on Sunday, Prime Minister of Germany Angela Merkel said “Germany is ready this year to open the 17th Chapter. There are some issues which should be discussed regarding preparations for the opening of the 23rd. and 24th Chapters.

Furthermore, Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioaanis Kasulides stated that their reasons for blocking the 23rd. and 24th Chapters are still valid.

Beşparmak Think Tank Group: “Water project can also create opportunity for peace in the region”

Stating that the water project could also create opportunity for peace especially for Cyprus and for the region, Beşparmak Think Tank Group said that the statements of the Greek Cypriot side undermine this optimism.

In the written statement made by Beşparmak Think Tank Group it was defended that the statements of the Greek Cypriot authorities related to the water, are reflecting bigotry, dominancy and lack of vision. “Giving the name of ‘peace water’ to the project is a reflection of the good intention, determination and trust of the Turkish side to the peace. Continuing the usual negative attitudes of the Greek Cypriot side neither benefit themselves nor the peace in the region and in Cyprus” said in the statement.

Noting that similar opinions with the Greek side were also expressed by some quarters in the TRNC, Beşparmak Think Tank Group said it was followed with sadness.

Pointing out that every issue should be considered objectively, Beşparmak Think Tank Group expressed the following:

“The management of water brought from Turkey should be resolved urgently and these projects need to be implemented as soon as possible. Good management of water can reduce distrust in politics.”

Denktaş criticized the EU Representative in Cyprus

During the visit of Corina Cretu, Member of the European Commission Responsible for Regional Policy, President of Democratic Party National Forces (DPUG) Serdar Denktaş criticized the statement made by the EU Representative in Cyprus and said “Witnessing sadly, we strongly condemn this unacceptable attitude.”

Pointing out that they prepared a report recently emphasizing that the relations with the EU institutions are unhealthy and unsustainable, Serdar Denktaş said “This statement which was made by the EU Representative in Cyprus unfortunately shows how unhealthy our relations are with the EU at present. The TRNC must urgently restructure its relations with the EU institutions.”

Initiative for Turkish place names in the UN Report

The United Nations’ report on the activities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage includes Turkish names of the settlements in Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot administration made initiatives on this issue.

Greek Cypriot daily Fileleftheros wrote that the “Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage” report, which is published in English and is sent to Greek Cypriot political parties and parliamentarians, includes the Turkish names of the settlements, and the Greek Cypriot deputy Yorgos Perdikis sent a letter of complaint to the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the issue.

According to the news, in response to the letter Kasulidis emphasized that all the necessary initiatives are being made in order to obey the law of the so-called “Republic of Cyprus” relating to the subject.

Kotzias says Merkel ‘is not an institution on her own’ in the EU

Kotzias says Merkel ‘is not an institution on her own’ in the EU, and cannot decide alone on Turkey’s membership. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias has said that the German Chancellor “is not a European institution on her own”  and thus does not have any authority to replace other established bodies of the European Union.

Greek Minister was commenting on what is believed to be an offer put forward by Angela Merkel to Tayip Erdogan for assistance in reducing refugee flows to central and northern Europe in exchange for lifting hurdles which have up to now blocked crucial chapters of the negotiation process for Turkey becoming a full member of the EU. Kotzias underlined that he personally is considering Germany’s “thoughts and desires” concerning EU-Turkey relations, “but this does not imply that her thoughts and aspirations are also those of the rest of us.”

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

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