TRNC News Today 7^th March 2016

Akıncı: “The current situation is different from the previous ones”

Stating that the current situation is different from the previous ones and both leaders are avoiding to accuse each other and trying to take the same path, President Mustafa Akıncı said that he would do his best in order not to lose his faith in a solution.

In an interview with the Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Havadis and the Greek Cypriot daily newspaper Phileleftheros and Cyprus Weekly, Akıncı stated that the rotating presidency is a part of political equality. Akıncı also mentioned that some Greek Cypriot political parties which want to keep the Republic of Cyprus alive, forget that in that Republic there is a Deputy President who has the authority to veto.

President Mustafa Akıncı also pointed out the importance of the continuation of Turkey’s guarantorship for the Turkish Cypriots. On the other hand, Akıncı said: “We want the continuation of Turkey’s guarantorship because firstly; we want to feel safe in a new formation. Secondly, we want to guarantee our status.”

Pointing out that the security of the Turkish Cypriots shouldn’t be perceived as a threat by the Greek Cypriots, Akıncı indicated that they will negotiate with the guarantors and evaluate the new situation when all the topics have been completed.

Touching upon the issue of the closed city of Maraş, Mustafa Akıncı expressed his observation that the Greek Cypriot side is not yet ready for the opening of the closed city of Maraş simultaneously with Ercan and Famagusta ports.

Akıncı: “Statements such as ‘we shall be an EU member therefore there is no need for another security’ are not satisfactory”

President Mustafa Akıncı emphasized that Turkish Cypriot people demand freedom, equality and security.

Stating that Turkish Cypriot people consider their security under the guarantee of Turkey, Akıncı said: “Statements such as ‘we shall be an EU member therefore there is no need for another security’ are not satisfactory.”

Underlining that the sides shouldn’t try to convince each other on the security issue, Akıncı stated that in case of a solution, Turkey’s guarantee should not be perceived as a threat by the Greek Cypriot side.

Moreover Akıncı pointed out that the cooperation regarding the natural resources and transporting Israel’s electricity to the EU via Turkey and using the water supplied from Turkey in the whole island can cause new perceptions and paradigms on the security issue in the future.

Speaking at an activity, Akıncı stated that the water, electricity and natural gas supplied from Turkey can transform the conflict in the region into cooperation.

President Akıncı also stated that the important concepts such as freedom, equality and security in the people’s life cannot be replaced with anything, adding that Turkish Cypriot people demand individual and social equality.

Çavuşoğlu: “Our hopes for Cyprus have increased”

Pointing out that they support the ongoing negotiation process and a solution in Cyprus which guarantees the rights of both sides based on political equality and bi-zonality, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said, “Our hopes for Cyprus have increased.”

Speaking at the General Assembly of the Parliament, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu pointed out the latest developments in Cyprus and stressed that: “We talked about unsolvable conflicts or the conflicts with frozen solutions. One of them is Cyprus and our hopes for Cyprus have increased. We support the ongoing negotiations and a bi-zonal, bi-communal settlement based on equality. Negotiations are continuing, there are difficult issues but as long as we believe, we can achieve. “On the other hand, meeting with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kocias, Çavuşoğlu stated that they are aware of the importance of a solution in Cyprus for the stability of the region and what it can offer to the Mediterranean, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Çavuşoğlu said, “Our support on this issue will continue as usual. We hope Greece’s support will also increasingly continue in this process. Furthermore, Çavuşoğlu said that a solution is close to being reached and underlined that property, territory, security and guarantees are the issues to be discussed at the end of the negotiation process.

Doherty visited Atalay

US Ambassador to Nicosia Kathleen Ann Doherty visited President of Religious Affairs Prof.Dr.Talip Atalay.

The meeting was held at Atalay’s office. The ongoing communication process between the religious representatives and its impact on the Cyprus negotiations were discussed at the meeting.