TRNC News Today 11^th January 2016

Akıncı to inform the TRNC Assembly about the negotiations

President Mustafa Akinci is continuing his information meetings regarding the ongoing negotiations in order to find a solution to the Cyprus issue. In this framework, President Akıncı will inform the TRNC General Assembly regarding the latest phase reached in the negotiation process and the Cyprus issue. The extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly will be held tomorrow (12th January) at 10.00. President Akıncı also informed the General Assembly about the negotiation process in September and listened to the opinions of the deputies. On the other hand, Akıncı came together with mukhtars and municipal mayors within the framework of the “Cooperation and Dialogue Meetings”.

During his meeting with the mukhtars, President Akıncı said that they want to achieve a solution whereby both communities can be lucrative, and emphasized that not only the two sides but also Greece, Turkey and the region need such a solution.

Indicating that there may be tension about the natural gas issue in the region, especially in the absence of a solution, Akıncı said: “We do not want tension, we want to develop together in reconciliation and peace.” President Akıncı also said: “We are doing the final try of our generation.

If a solution will not be reached, the parameters of a division will be discussed instead of a federation at this time and Turkish Cypriots will not benefit from this condition.”

Eide is optimistic on a solution

It was reported that the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide is optimistic that a solution is close on the Cyprus issue.

In his special interview to Kathimerini newspaper, the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide mentioned the Cyprus issue and said that both leaders want a solution.

Indicating that the biggest difference this time compared to the Annan plan is that the solution should not be imposed on the third parties, Eide stated that a possible solution would be the product of Cypriots

Furthermore, Eide emphasized the good relationship of President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades and stressed that they both honestly want a solution.

Insisting that the UN was not planning a multinational conference on Cyprus in the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Eide pointed out that President Mustafa Akıncı, the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades, the leaders of Turkey and Greece and the UN Secretary General will also be present in Davos.

Avoiding revealing his thoughts on the rotating presidency, Eide mentioned that he lives in Switzerland where there is an alternating presidency.

Bilgiç: “Freezing of bank accounts harms the negotiation process”

The Spokesperson of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Tanju Bilgiç reacted to the freezing of the bank accounts of the Turkish diplomats in the UK and said that this situation hampers their work.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the British Ambassador to Turkey on Friday to take steps against suspended bank accounts of Turkish diplomats by the United Kingdom.

Turkish authorities have started an objection appeal process at British courts calling on British authorities to fulfill their obligations under the international law, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic.

“We have initiated an appeal process. We expect the prohibitions and precautions that have been placed on these accounts to be immediately lifted and for the UK to follow and adhere to the legal obligations that are required by international law. We expect the legal appeal process to be finalized very soon” Bilgiç stressed.

Bilgic also underlined that the suspension of the bank accounts violates the Vienna Convention as it is against the nature of diplomatic and consular relations.

“As you know, some international agreements on diplomatic relations are recognized as constitutional law. These are the 1961 and 1963 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations” he said.

“Freezing of these accounts means the disregard of both of these agreements” he continued.

“Additionally by freezing these accounts the UK has disrupted the workflow of our diplomatic and consular activities and disregarded the Vienna Conventions. Naturally this is completely unacceptable for us”.

Responding to a question about the freezing of diplomats’ bank accounts at a Turkish bank in the UK, Bilgic said the freezing of the accounts dates back to a decision that was taken in 2014-2015 by the Greek Cypriot administration as “precautionary measure.”

Reminding that the negotiation process continues in Cyprus Bilgiç said that such attempts harms the positive atmosphere of the negotiations.

Talat optimistic for solution of the Cyprus problem

The Leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the negotiations towards solution of the Cyprus problem are proceeding in a positive way. Talat expressed his optimism for the process.

Speaking to the Greek Cypriot weekly Kathimerini, Talat replied to the questions regarding the Cyprus problem.

According to the news, upon the claims that there is conflicting information regarding the development of the negotiations, Talat said “The negotiations are proceeding in a positive way and consensus is increasing.”

Furthermore, Talat stressed that the result is very important but the development seems very positive.