TRNC News Today 20th November 2015 – Talat: “Unfortunately I cannot be sure about the solution”
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TRNC News Today 20th November 2015
2nd President Talat: “Unfortunately I cannot be sure about the solution”
2nd President Mehmet Ali Talat in his statement in a radio program which was transmitted in “Radyo Güven” regarding the sincerity of the Greek Cypriot Administration for a solution on the Cyprus problem he said “I do not know, I want to believe, I want to hope for a solution, but unfortunately I cannot be sure.”
Stating that his opinion is different about the Confidence Building Measures, Talat told that the confidence building measures should be one-sided, while allowing something, nothing should be expected in return and he added that this creates a more secure environment. Talat also mentioned that a solution could be reached by March 2016; otherwise it lasts until the end of the year.
Stating that the Greek side made statements related to what their own people want to hear, Talat said, “We need to look at what the Greek Cypriots are doing rather than what they say.” He also mentioned that the Turkish Cypriot society do not trust the Greek Cypriot people.
Mentioning the guarantee issue, Talat said that the guarantee agreement not only concerns two sides, it also concerns Turkey, Greece and the UK, therefore the issue of withdrawal of the guarantors from the island should be discussed in the international arena. Talat also expressed that 95 percent of the Turkish Cypriots want Turkey to take part in the system of guarantees.
Talat: “ELAM must be closed”
The 2nd President Mehmet Ali Talat said that racist ELAM attacks must be stopped immediately and ELAM must be closed. Talat also added that demonstrations must be prohibited and penalties must be increased.
Furthermore, stressing that racist and hatred thoughts must be stopped in order to reach a solution, Talat added that the necessary precautions must be taken and the necessary laws must be prepared.
In his statement to Radio Güven, Talat said that he did not understand the attitude of the Greek Cypriot Police, adding “They just watched and they did not arrest the criminals. Greek Cypriot police must be better supervised.”
Talat also expressed that such events cause concerns in the Turkish Cypriot side on the way towards a solution.
Five more Greek Cypriot students arrested
It was stated that yesterday morning, Greek Cypriot police arrested five more Greek Cypriot students, with the ages of 16-18, who attacked the Turkish Cypriots during a protest for the establishment of the TRNC.
According to Greek Cypriot radio, Greek Cypriot police first arrested four students and then five more students yesterday morning.
Greek Cypriot news sources also stated that there are six more orders for arrest regarding the event.
Leaders to meet again today
President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades will meet again today within the framework of the negotiations to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.
The meeting will start at the buffer zone at 10:00. The leaders agreed to have at least 6 meetings this month. The rest of the meetings have been scheduled to be on 23rd and 25th November.
Akıncı met with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond
President Mustafa Akıncı met yesterday with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond who came to Cyprus for holding high-level contacts related to solving the Cyprus problem.
In a statement to the press after the meeting, President Mustafa Akıncı said that a settlement in Cyprus would be found both by the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots together. He also pointed out that the contribution of the international community is also very important in seeking a solution.
Akıncı mentioned that the second meeting with Hammond was very fruitful and it is very natural for one of the guarantor states, the UK, to show proximity to the Cyprus problem. Moreover, Akıncı said “protecting and continuing the process for people living on this island, we are trying to do this. While we are continuing this effort, we expect every contribution coming from outside.”
In a statement to the press after the meeting, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said that they dealt with every aspect of the negotiations and he expressed his belief that there are concrete developments in the negotiations.
Stating that there is a good working relationship between the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Anastasiades and himself, Akıncı said: “There are some serious issues to be solved concerning property, territorial adjustments and security/guarantees issues. In these negotiations, it has reached a key stage where both leaders have to put forward bold and creative solutions.”
Indicating that the international community supports the negotiations, Hammond said that the UK is ready to give technical support to the negotiations and he also emphasized that he would help to have the funding needed in order to solve the issue of property.
TRNC Water Supply Project’s effect to the region will be discussed
TRNC Water Supply Project’s effect to the regional security dynamics will be discussed at the workshop themed “TRNC Water Supply Project and Changing Balances in the Eastern Mediterranean” to be organised in Ankara on Saturday.
The Minister of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Erkut Şahali will attend the workshop in Ankara.
The workshop will be conducted in three sessions. The themes “TRNC Water Supply Project and Eastern Mediterranean’s Hydro-politics”, “TRNC Water Supply Project’s Effect to the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean Regional Security Dynamics”, “Water’s Distribution Model as Irrigation and Drinking Water” will be discussed at the workshop.
Health Minister İzbul “A new state hospital complex will be built in Lefkoşa”
Health Minister İzbul said that they want to start and finalize the project and construction works for a new hospital complex as soon as possible.
Minister Salih İzbul met with Turkey’s Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu at the 5th Meeting of Health Ministers which was organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Minister İzbul indicated that he told Turkey’s Health Minister Müezzinoğlu that Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Lefkoşa is inadequate in many respects and they have started a project for the construction of a new state hospital. Health Minister İzbul also stated that land allocation for a new hospital complex will be finalized soon.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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Pictures shown are courtesy of the TRNC Public Information Office Facebook page.
I think it is a waste of time Britain being a guarantor to any Cyprus agreement or solution. When Britain was needed in 1974, just before Turkey intervened Britain refused to take part. If they had the situation might be different now. Britain cannot be relied upon in my opinion.
Thank you for your reply Richard. Many observers who have lived in North Cyprus and have taken the time study the history of the past can see that Britain made a major blunder in not standing by their responsibilities.
Successive UK governments have not been brave enough to say “We got it wrong” and deal with the problem in a fair and balanced way. Shame on them!