TRNC News Today 18^th December 2015

First steps for United Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) and Cyprus Trade and Industry Chamber (KEBE) mutually stated the successful interns and businesses from both communities.

A press meeting was held in the buffer zone yesterday regarding the “Leading by Example Project” supported by the EU.

Within the framework of the Internship Exchange Project between the communities, it is aimed to give experience to October 2015 university graduates to work in the other community and to increase their professional skills for their future working life. The youth who will go on a course for three months will be paid 500 Euros monthly.

All internships are supported by the ‘Leading by Example Project’ within the framework of the EU’s Cypriot Civil Society in Action IV Program conducted by KTTO and KEBE.

Akıncı: “An agreement to be reached should be voted ‘yes’ by the two sides”

President Mustafa Akıncı stated that they do not want to experience the same situation experienced during the Annan plan referendum process, adding “ We have to reach an agreement which will result in the Turkish Cypriot side to vote ‘YES’ again and the Greek Cypriot side to change their ‘NO’ votes to ‘YES’ at the referendum.

In his speech during one of his receptions yesterday, President Mustafa Akıncı said that they are experiencing a process in which they are trying to build the future of Cyprus and their greatest wish is to end the negotiations with an agreement approved by the two communities in Cyprus.

Furthermore, expressing that if a wise way is found for the operation of the energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, everybody will gain advantages, Akıncı stressed that the wisest way is to unite Israel gas with Cyprus gas and transfer it via Cyprus to Turkey and then via Turkey to Europe.

Adding that there is a new scenario that if the whole of Cyprus uses the water coming from Turkey, all sides will have advantages, Akıncı said that if the Cyprus problem is solved, new settlements and constructions will be on the agenda therefore cooperation is very important at that stage.

Leaders to meet on Sunday

President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades will meet again in the buffer zone on Sunday.

Before the meeting, Akıncı and Anastasiades will meet with the members of the Committee on Missing Persons. The leaders are expected to make examination at the laboratory in the buffer zone.

No statement is expected following the meeting.

Davutoğlu met with Tsipras

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu met with his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras. Stating that he is very pleased to come together with Tsipras, Davutoğlu said: “There is a stability in our political relationship. We hope to hold a high-level cooperation meeting soon. In this meeting, we will talk about the common issues and interests, as well as the joint projects.”

On the other hand, Greek Prime Minister Tsipras said, “Cooperation to reduce the refugee flow to our region and to Europe is very important and in this context, especially the flow of migrants in the Aegean Sea is a critical issue. Pointing out the importance of the meeting with Prime Minister Davutoğlu, Tsipras stated that there will be a busy schedule within the context of the Turkish-Greek contacts for the next three months.

Turkish and Greek Cypriot Teachers supported establishment of Education Technical Committee

‘United Cyprus’ Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Platform welcomed the announcement of President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades about setting up a technical committee on the education.

Making statements on behalf of the platform, KTÖS Secretary- General Şener Elcil stated that education is shaping the attitude, understanding, behaviour and values. Elcil said, “This is a decision which has to be given before, as it is known, the education systems of two communities created consciousness that prevents living together in peace and tolerance. While the negotiations are continuing between the two leaders, there is a hope that the solution of the Cyprus problem will satisfy all the people on the island. Elcil said: “Our education system will contribute to create a positive atmosphere, to accept, to implement and to consolidate a solution in this process. Conservatism is seen among some teachers and students even today. This attitude has triggered an ethnic separation mentality which defends that the separation is the ideal solution to the Cyprus problem.”

Greek Cypriots spent 10 million Euros in 11 months in the TRNC and Turkey

It is reported that Greek Cypriots spent 10.74 million Euros by credit cards in the first 11 months of 2015 in the TRNC and Turkey.

Greek Cypriot daily newspaper Fileftheros reported that according to the data of JCC Company, 3.12 million Euros were spent for hotel expenses, 2.5 million Euros for flight expenses and 1.64 million Euros for entertainment.

On the other hand; the newspaper also reported that expenditure of the Greek Cypriots by credit cards had a 2% increase in the first 11 months of 2015, and in comparison with November 2014, this year there is a 13% increase.

NEU Engineering Departments accredited by ASIIN

Near East University (NEU) Engineering Faculty is accredited by ASIIN, the institution of Europe which gives accreditation in the fields of engineering, mathematics, informatics and natural sciences.

Making statements on the subject, NEU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Fahreddin Sadıkoğlu said that at the meeting of the ASIIN commission which was held in Germany, it was decided to accredit the graduate and post graduate programs of electrical and electronic engineering, computer engineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer-informatics systems departments of the NEU.

Green Peace Movement and EU signed an agreement for the project entitled “Cans of Hopes”

Green Peace Movement and the EU signed an agreement for the project entitled “Cans of Hopes” at the EU Support Office.

An agreement was signed for the project which was aimed at providing an important contribution to increasing the environmental awareness and a sustainable structure for recycling of solid wastes between the President of the Green Peace Movement Ersun Aytaç and the European Union officials.

According to the statement of the Green Peace Movement; the agreement for the project which was carried out by 8 environmental volunteers and has been initiated as a continuation of the recycling project executed with a zero budget, was signed by the Green Peace Movement and the EU as a grant contract under the name of “Cans of Hopes”.