TRNC News Today 25^th January 2016

Akıncı: “We had an opportunity to express peaceful, modern and rational messages in Davos”

President Mustafa Akıncı stated that they had an opportunity to express the peaceful, modern and rational messages of the Turkish Cypriots in Davos, adding that the few days in Davos were very beneficial for the Turkish Cypriot people and the future of Cyprus.

In his press meeting at Ercan Airport after his return from Davos, Akıncı said that it was a great experience for them to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Furthermore, Akıncı expressed that the Turkish Cypriot people are one of the two equal partners of the Federal United Cyprus to be established.

Davutoğlu: “US will play a critical role in Cyprus”

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu stated that US Vice President Joe Biden made a great contribution to the negotiations by his visit to Cyprus and added “We hope to reach a permanent solution in Cyprus in the following days, weeks or months. US will play an important role in Cyprus. I thank to the US Vice President Joe Biden and his team for their fruitful meetings”.

Furthermore, in his press meeting, US Vice President Joe Biden stated that solution of the Cyprus problem will strengthen Europe’s energy security. Referring to the Cyprus negotiations, Biden expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s efforts which have been continuing for years to overcome the deadlock.

Stressing that he had meetings with the two sides in Cyprus previously, Biden expressed his positive expectation for a solution in Cyprus. Biden also thanked Davutoğlu for his strong support for solution of the Cyprus problem, adding that solution of the Cyprus problem will strengthen the energy security of Europe.

Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu meets AKEL Secretary General Kyprianou

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu received Greek Cypriot political party AKEL’s Secretary General Kyprianou and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting took place at the Le Meridien Hotel in Istanbul, closed to the press. In his comments, Cavusoglu described his meeting with Kyprianou as very positive.

Cavusoglu said: “Kyprianou supports the negotiations in Cyprus. AKEL has a positive approach towards a solution. The support they give to Anastasiades in this process is an important step towards a solution. We, as Turkey, stressed our support to an agreement to be reached by the two sides on difficult issues such as Territory, and Property.”

Parliament delegation will attend the meeting of İSİPAB in Baghdad

A delegation headed by Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber will attend the meeting of the 11th Conference of Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Baghdad (İSİPAB).

The issues such as solving the problems of the Islamic countries through political ways, parliamentary means and the law, the establishment of unity between Muslims, living in poverty, the Palestinian issue and the problems of minorities in non-Muslim countries will be discussed at the conference. Moreover, the TRNC Parliament delegation will also meet with chairmen of other parliaments who will participate in the meeting.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will participate in the meeting of İSİPAB as an observer member.

Turkish Foreign Ministry: “We regret the baseless and unethical expressions of Kammenos”

Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the baseless and unethical expressions of Minister of National Defence of Greece, Kammenos, concerning Turkey and the Cyprus issue.

The written statement made by the Ministry is as follows:

“We regret the statements of Mr. Kammenos, Minister of National Defence of Greece, at a press conference held on 18 January 2016, following his meeting with the Minister of Defence of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, who visited Athens.

We condemn his baseless and unethical expressions uttered after the meeting concerning our country and the Cyprus issue.

At a time when a positive atmosphere prevails in Turkish-Greek relations and in Cyprus towards a comprehensive settlement, the improper statements of the Minister of National Defence of Greece at the press conference, give the impression that he is uncomfortable with this positive atmosphere. We strongly reject his ill-considered statements constituting a paradigm of irresponsibility.

We expect the Greek authorities to act with a befitting sense of governmental responsibility and refrain from statements that may damage the atmosphere of collaboration that we are trying to cultivate between our countries.”

Tourism Minister Sucuoğlu: “The target is 50 thousand bed capacity and 3 million tourists”

Tourism Minister Sucuoğlu attended North Cyprus Turkish Hoteliers Association 25th Ordinary General Assembly.

In his speech at the General Assembly, Sucuoğlu said that the target is 50,000 bed capacity and 3 million tourists.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Tourism Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu stated that there are 140 tourist accommodation areas, 20,000 bed capacity, and this will be 22,000 at the end of the year. There are 18 five star hotels and it can be said that this equals to 56%.

Stating that the occupancy rate of 5-star hotels is less than that of 4-star hotels, Sucuoğlu said that there is some incorrect information about the figures in the sector and he also gave figures related to the occupancy rates.

Stating that their target of bed capacity is 25,000 in 2016 and 50,000 in 2020, Sucuoğlu emphasized that they should continue to work with a good policy and should encourage the investors.