TRNC News Today 28^th October 2015

Greek Cypriots ask arms from the USA

Greek Cypriot Defense Minister Hristoforos Fokaidis called on the new US Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Ann Doherty to work in the direction of lifting the arms embargo which has been continuing since 1974 in Cyprus.

Greek Cypriot Minister Hristoforos Fokaidis paid a visit to the new US Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Ann Doherty. In his statement regarding his visit, Fokaidis said that they discussed issues of bilateral and regional interests and the increasing security challenges in the region and reiterated the great progress made in various fields of cooperation between Cyprus and the US with regards to defense and security matters in particular

Kotzias: “Cooperation has become more substantial in the last two days”

Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Kotzias has carried out his first official overseas visit to South Cyprus. Within the framework of his contact, Kotzias met with the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades yesterday.

According to the Greek Cypriot news sources, in his statement after meeting with Anastasiades, he said the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus has become more substantial, detailed and specialized in the last two days. Kotzias also said that this has been a major practical step forward in the relations between the two countries. After he was briefed on the Cyprus issue by Anastasiades, Kotzias said that the Greek Cypriot Administration has the will, opportunity and capacity to push forward a just solution to the Cyprus problem, and that Greece gives full support on the issue.

Furthermore, referring to the international community, Kotzias said that some countries support the process, some are in a hurry more than necessary and some are just observing.

Expressing that lifting of the guarantees is the main issue, Kotzias said that he always repeats this issue.

After being asked if the international community is in a position to persuade Turkey to change its stance on the issue of guarantees, the Greek Foreign Minister said that it is considered as an issue which must be discussed and many countries have accepted this view. “I think this situation will also affect Turkey” Kotzias added.

After meeting with Anastasiades, Kotzias had a meeting with the President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Yannakis Omiru.

Lukaidis: “Neither Cyprus in NATO nor NATO in Cyprus”

Yorgos Lukaidis, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of AKEL, indicated that they are against both situations; Cyprus in NATO and NATO in Cyprus.

According to the news of the Greek Cypriot daily Haravgi, Lukaidis said that Cyprus is one of the most tragic victims of NATO.  Pointing out that the NATO’s continuous target is to transform Cyprus to an unsinkable aircraft carrier, Lukaidis reminded that “NATO committed double murder in 1974 (against Cyprus).”

Putting forward the thesis about the solution of the Cyprus problem and “getting rid of the occupation”, Lukaidis said that struggling for complete demilitarization of the island constitutes the essence of the struggle against imperialism.

Lukaidis added that their steady thesis is “Neither Cyprus in NATO nor NATO in Cyprus”

CTP was represented at the meeting of the Socialist International Mediterranean Committee

The Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP) was represented at the meeting of the Socialist International Mediterranean Committee which was organized in Barcelona, Spain between the dates of 25-27 October.

The CTP Secretary of Foreign Affairs Muhittin Tolga Özsağlam participated in the meeting at which the refugee problem in the Mediterranean and Europe, Syria, Western Sahara, Egypt, the Cyprus problem, the democratization in Tunisia and Israel-Palestine conflict were discussed. Following the meetings a joint declaration was published.

The following statements were made in the paragraph of the joint declaration related to Cyprus:

“We closely follow the efforts put forward to end the division of Cyprus. In this context we are interested in the importance of confidence building measures and the solution of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the United Nations resolutions.”

Evaluating the three-day meeting, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs Muhittin Tolga Özsağlam said that they tried to make a positive contribution to the regional problems.

Underlining that there is a deep disagreement among some political parties particularly on the Cyprus issue, Özsağlam said “As the CTP, we insisted to place a paragraph in the joint text regarding the importance given to finding a solution to the Cyprus issue within the framework of the United Nations resolutions and our insistence gave a result.

Committee on Missing Persons held contacts in Brussels

Members of the Committee on Missing Persons held contacts in Brussels with the European Union representatives in order to secure further financial and political support for the CMP’s exhumation, identification and return of remains project.

From 20 to 23 October, 2015 members of the Committee on Missing Persons had meetings in Brussels with members of the European Parliament’s Budget and LIBE committees as well as with senior European Commission officials. They also met with the representatives of several European Union Member States.

The aim of these meetings was to secure further financial and political support for the CMP’s exhumation, identification and return of remains project. The European Union is the biggest contributor to the CMP since its operations started in 2006. The statement also mentioned that all European interlocutors recognized the necessity to continue to support this key humanitarian task in Cyprus and bring closure to the bereaved families.

Europa Nostra 2015 Award in Lefkoşa

A special ceremony was organized last night for presenting ‘The European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage (Europa Nostra)’ to the Armenian Church and Monastery’s restoration work in the Arabahmet neighbourhood in Lefkoşa walled city.

The Europa Nostra award was introduced in the ceremony at the Armenian Church and Monastery. Mayor of Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality Mehmet Harmancı , Mayor of Lefkoşa Greek Municipality Konstantinos Yorgacis, President of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus George Markopouliotis, Europa Nostra Secretary General Sneska Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic, responsible architect for the project of restoration Paolo Vitti, UNDP-ACT representative Christopher Louise and US Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Ann Doherty attended the ceremony.

The funding of the restoration work was provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

 The Europa Nostra Award was also presented with an organized ceremony to architect Paolo Vitti on 11 June 2015 in Oslo, Norway.

Ziya Rızkı was commemorated on the 21st anniversary of his death

Ziya Rızkı, who was the former parliamentarian, Mayor, a military chief and sportsman and  had important contributions to the struggle for the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people, was commemorated on the 21st anniversary of his death.

President Mustafa Akıncı, TDP leader Cemal Özyiğit, Girne Mayor Nidai Güngördü and the Chairman of Ziya Rızkı Foundation’s Board of Trustees Dr. Ceyhun Birinci made a speech at the ceremony.

President Mustafa Akıncı stated that after his death his place has still not been filled and Turkish Cypriot people still continue to miss his absence with every passing day.

Akıncı was speaking at a remembrance ceremony held in Karaoğlanoğlu for Turkish Cypriot politician Ziya Rızkı on the 21st anniversary of his death and stated that Ziya Rızkı was an experienced politician with leadership qualities.

Mentioning the bi-zonal, bi-communal settlement on the basis of political equality, Akıncı also stated: “While we talk about an EU member federal structure we are talking about a settlement on the basis of the existing UN Parameters.”

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

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