TRNC News Today 17^th December 2015

Eide said: “General terms of a reconciliation begin to emerge” on the property issue

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide stated his belief that the general terms of a reconciliation begin to emerge on the property issue in the Cyprus negotiations.

Eide also stated that the works are improving towards solving the issues that can be solved before the last round of the negotiations.

Expressing that useful developments have been experienced in some of the key issues, Eide stated that now the issues that can be solved in the last round of the negotiations can be identified.

Talat: “I am hopeful about a solution”

The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and 2nd President of the TRNC Mehmet Ali Talat said that he is hopeful about a solution, but the possible solution should be under absolute assurance.

Talat also said: “If we do not secure the resolution, fanatics will be able to sabotage the solution. We experienced this in the past. That’s why we have to be very careful and attentive”.

Pointing out to the dynamism which will be created by the solution, Talat stated that financing the solution will be the solution itself.

Bozkır: “A solution is approached in the Cyprus talks after a long time”

Underlining that a solution is approached in the Cyprus talks after a long time, Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkır said that the national income difference between the parties in the island was effective in the rejection of the Annan Plan in 2004 by the Greek Cypriots in the referendum.

Stating that the then Greek Cypriot leader used the slogan ‘not to share the wealth of the south with the north’ Bozkır said that the mentioned difference is almost closed now.

Bozkır also pointed out that the leaders on the island have managed to destroy many taboos by taking important steps and he added that the will of the leaders towards the solution is very important.

Bozkır concluded his speech by saying: “I certainly believe that the Cyprus problem can be solved. It has become more solvable than the Syria issue, the problem of Ukraine, and the Palestinian issue”.

UNSG says a Cyprus settlement is within reach

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon said on Wednesday that he is encouraged by the progress in the negotiations on the Cyprus problem, adding that a solution is within reach.

Ban was speaking during his end of the year press conference at the UN Headquarters.

“I am encouraged by progress in the negotiations on Cyprus. A solution to decades of division is within reach,” Ban said.

“Any false step taken on the issue of property will have negative reflection on a permanent reconciliation”

Beşparmak Think Tank Group stated that any false step taken on the issue of property will have negative reflection on a permanent reconciliation.

Beşparmak Think Tank Group stressed that a property system which will give harm to the socio-economic structure formed in North Cyprus within decades and cause traumas on people will give the greatest harm to the bizonality, economy and some sectors.

Furthermore, Beşparmak Think Tank Group stated that on the issue of property which is defined as a “key issue” by the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide, there is a false perception of some people that the Turkish Cypriot side is out of the international law while the attitude and applications of the Turkish Cypriot side on this issue are in harmony with the European Law specifically and in harmony with the international law generally.

Lidington: “We will continue to work together with Turkey and Greece to help Cypriots”

UK’s Minister for European Affairs David Lidington stated that the UK will be one of the strong supporters of a solution together with Turkey and Greece for the benefit of the Cypriot people.

Noting that the UK is having routine contacts on various levels with Ankara and Athens to support the negotiation process in Cyprus, Lidington said that they want to continue working together with Greece and Turkey for reunification of the island with a fair and permanent solution.

Cyprus Office of the European Commission will organize a roundtable meeting

The Cyprus Office of the European Commission will organize a roundtable meeting entitled “The Federal States in the European Union: Challenges and Opportunities.”

According to the statement from the European Parliament Cyprus Information Office, the meeting will take place at the Meeting Room of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on Monday, December 21.

The President of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus Andreas Kettis and the President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Fikri Toros will make opening speeches at the meeting.

Art competition for Human Rights Day

An art competition will be organized in order to emphasize the importance of the International Human Rights Day.

The competition will be organized by the Dutch Embassy in cooperation with the European Parliament Office in Cyprus, the European Commission Representation of Cyprus, the US Embassy and the Norway Embassy. Photo-posters and picture-drawing categories are requested to express human rights in the competition.

The competition includes two different age groups between the ages of 12-18 and above 18, and the applications can be made until Thursday January 21, 2016.

CIU organize a conference entitled “Protection of Cultural Heritage in Cyprus”

Cyprus International University (CIU) will organize a conference entitled “Protection of Cultural Heritage in Cyprus” on Friday, December 18. The Turkish and Greek Cypriot Cultural Technical Committee co-chairs Ali Tuncay and Takis Hadjidemetriou will participate as speakers.

The present situation of the bi-communal common cultural heritage and the information about the studies will be shared with the participants at the conference.