TRNC News Today 22^nd February 2016

Arson attack on Denia Mosque

The historical Denia mosque in Denia village, which was attacked in January 2013 and restored in the framework of joint works of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, the European Union and the UN Development Programme, was set on fire by the unknown assailant or assailants again yesterday morning.

Akıncı: “Crime was committed against humanity, it should be punished in the most serious way”

President Mustafa Akıncı made a statement concerning the arson attack to the Denia Mosque in South Cyprus and said, “Crime was committed against humanity, it should be punished in the most serious way.”

Emphasizing that he felt great sadness due to the event, President Akıncı expected Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades to make every possible effort for the culprits to be found and prosecuted.

President Mustafa Akıncı’s statement concerning the arson attack on the Mosque in Denia is as follows:

“I have come to learn with deep regret about the arson attack on the mosque in the village of Denia, in the southern part of Cyprus. The restoration of the particular mosque, which was attacked yet another time back in January 2013, was undertaken by the Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage in December 2014. The same mosque has now been attacked for the second time.

I condemn this unacceptable incident. I expect Mr. Anastasiades to make every possible effort, for the culprits to be found and prosecuted, and hope that solid results can be achieved.

I would also like to point out the fact that this cannot be regarded as an incident targeting a worship place just for Muslims. That small but historic mosque in fact belongs to all Cypriots and humanity. The culprits have actually undertaken a crime against humanity and, as such, should be punished in the most serious way. During this time when we are doing our best to solve the Cyprus Problem, there is no doubt that there will be people who will be doing their best to damage the process. It is obvious that those who are responsible for this criminal act do not want to see our island reach peaceful days. We cannot let them rule the place.”

Atalay: “These kinds of attacks are movements to extinguish hopes for peace”

The President of Religious Affairs Prof.Dr.Talip Atalay strongly condemned the arson attack on the Denia Mosque in South Cyprus and said that these kinds of attacks are movements to extinguish hopes for peace.

The President of Religious Affairs Atalay, in his written statement regarding the event, stated that the attack on the Denia Mosque during its restoration works conducted by the Technical Committee deeply sorrowed them.

Atalay emphasized that these kinds of attacks against belief and prayer places aimed to disrupt the peace and harmony on earth, destroy the confidence and hope for peace.

Talip Atalay continued his statement as follows:

“We hope that the Greek Cypriot authorities will involve themselves in the issue and they will be attentive in the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators. Our presidency will send a delegation to the Denia Mosque for scene inspection and on the findings of the report of the delegation, further steps will be determined. The necessary contacts with our counterparts have been established through the Religious Track. The statement of the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades that the perpetrators will be found and be punished is pleasing. I would like to emphasize that we expect to conclude the transaction in accordance with these statements. We expect the necessary sensitivity from the authorities in order to prevent recurrence of such actions against places of worship wherever and whatever the faith is and I strongly condemn this heinous attack.”

Çolak met with Çavuşoğlu

Foreign Minister Emine Çolak had a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in İstanbul.

Çolak and Çavuşoğlu exchanged their views on the Cyprus negotiation process at the İstanbul Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sarıyer.

The meeting was closed to the press.

Çavuşoğlu discussed the Cyprus issue with Gentiloni

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu discussed the Cyprus issue with Italian Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Paolo Gentiloni who paid a two-day official visit to Ankara.

According to the information received from diplomatic sources, Çavuşoğlu and Gentiloni evaluated Turkey’s European Union (EU) process, the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations and the energy cooperation between the two countries.

Klerides: “I have full confidence in the leaders”

Former Member of Parliament Keti Klerides, the daughter of former leader of Greek Cypriot administration and founder of DISI Glafkos Klerides, said that she has full confidence in the leaders.

In her statement to the Greek Cypriot daily Alithia; Klerides mentioned that she has full confidence in President Mustafa Akıncı and the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Anastasiades and she expressed her belief that both leaders will solve the Cyprus problem and reunite Cyprus. While continuing her remarks she said that she closely followed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

Emphasizing that her ultimate wish in her life is the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus, Klerides stated that there isn’t anybody who does not want the reunification, but there are those who do not accept the necessary compromises to reach this goal.

Keti Klerides expressed her belief that “The majority of people are ready to accept a satisfactory and functional solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the issues that had been agreed so far.”

Aplıç was de-mined

Bi-communal technical committee was informed with the report regarding de-mining in the area of Lefke/Aplıç gate by the UN De-mining Organization.

The issues of enlarging and building the roads and also the technical issues regarding the opening of the two crossing points were expected to be discussed at the next meeting of the technical committee.