TRNC News Today 19^th February 2016

Foreign Minister Çolak: “The decision is a gesture and a message”

Foreign Minister Emine Çolak interpreted European Commission’s transferring the desk, which has been created for the implementation of the EU Financial Aid Programme and to help the Turkish Cypriots to prepare the EU acquis, to the Structural Reforms Support Services General Secretariat as a gesture and a message.

In her assessments to BRT, Minister Çolak stated that the unit which is running with this task is not new but its connected units have been changed.

Pointing out that the aim of the decision of the European Commission is to enable the process more effectively, Minister Çolak said, “While this decision is taken, the European Commission openly declared that they wished to provide more effectiveness to ongoing works, therefore it is also seen that they will endeavour to fulfil this expectation.”

Minister Çolak also stated that it is needed to wait and see what this decision will actually bring in practice for the Turkish Cypriots.

The terrorist attack in Ankara condemned

President Mustafa Akıncı, Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber and Prime Minister Ömer Kalyoncu condemned the terrorist attack in Ankara in which 28 people lost their lives.

In his message of condolence, President Mustafa Akıncı expressed: “I condemn the terrorist attack in which 28 people lost their lives. I extend my deepest condolences for those who lost their lives on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people and wish a speedy recovery to the injured people. May those who have lost their lives rest in peace”.

Sucuoğlu received IMF delegation

Tourism Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu received the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation under the presidency of IMF Mission Chief Rachel Van Elkan. Stating that they had a fruitful meeting with the IMF officials, Minister Sucuoğlu said that they have decided to work together about how the IMF might contribute to the country’s tourism.

Indicating that since taking office they had worked for the development of the tourism sector and rural tourism in order to contribute to the country’s economy, Sucuoğlu mentioned that they try to take every precaution to avoid a crisis and to overcome the troubles of the sector.

Sucuoğlu also expressed his satisfaction for the visit of the IMF delegation and added that they will meet with the IMF delegation again soon.

Committee on Missing Persons had a series of contacts in Brussels

The members of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) had a series of contacts with interlocutors at the European Parliament and the European Commission, in Brussels. On 16-18 February, the Committee Members briefed the European Parliament regarding the conducted studies. The Committee Members emphasized the importance of continuing the financial and political support for the works.

Discussions were also conducted with the Cabinets of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Parliament President Martin Schulz to confirm their support for, and participation in, the opening of a photo-exhibition at the European Parliament in October of this year.

The Members also met with Corina Crețu, the European Union Commissioner for Regional Policy.

In all their encounters, the CMP Members expressed their gratitude for the European Union`s financial support which accounts for 80 percent of the CMP`s operational budget.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

To read more news and information from the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please click here

Pictures shown are courtesy of the TRNC Public Information Office Facebook page.