TRNC News Today 9th March 2016 - Davutoglu: "We are so close to the solution in Cyprus"

Davutoğlu: “We are so close to the solution in Cyprus”

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had a meeting yesterday. While the Turkish Prime Minister Davutoğlu said: “We are so close to the solution of the Cyprus problem and the Aegean problems”, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said: “We agree on a permanent solution.”

Both Prime Ministers made statements regarding the Cyprus issue at the joint press conference. Stating that they discussed the Aegean and Cyprus problems honestly and friendly, Davutoğlu said: “We are so close to the solution of the Aegean problems and the Cyprus problem. The Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean can be the centre of attraction by showing strong will together in order to overcome the lasting problems”. Davutoğlu also added that they want the Eastern Mediterranean not being mentioned as the region with crisis, on the contrary it should be mentioned as the region of welfare and peace with the cooperation of Turkey and Greece, joint working culture and the common future perspective.

On the other hand Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras stated that they agree that the problem should be solved in a fair and permanent way on the basis of the UN resolutions within the framework of the EU. He also added that the settlement to be reached should offer to Turks, Greeks and other minorities living on the island the opportunity to live under civilized conditions.

Cyprus can be a model for the co-existence between Muslims and Christians, Shaun Casey says

US Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs, Shaun Casey, who is having contacts in the island attended the meeting of the Cyprus religious leaders at the residence of the Swedish Ambassador in Nicosia, within the framework of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the auspices of the Embassy of Sweden.

Cyprus can be a model for co-existence between Muslims and Christians for this entire region, US Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs Shaun Casey has said.

Speaking during a press conference following the meeting, Casey said “I am thrilled to be here in this important time when tangible progress is being made to resolve a long-standing division of Cyprus. In my short time in Cyprus I have been impressed by the political leaders who are working hard to find agreement on complex issues of governance, power sharing, property, economy and all the other chapters of the negotiations”, he said.

“I`ve also been amazed at the dedication and hard work of the religious leaders in Cyprus who categorically condemn all forms of violence and building ties amongst their followers towards a just, comprehensive and lasting solution for all the people of Cyprus” he added.

One of the phrases I have heard, he noted, is that the Cyprus conflict has never been a religious conflict. “I have heard that when a solution is reached Cyprus can be a model for co-existence between Muslims and Christians for this entire region” he noted.

In his speech, the President of the Religious Affairs Talip Atalay said that achieving peace in Cyprus would not only benefit the people of the island but also the surrounding region. As he said, we need a peace that will be based on respect, honesty and trust and one that will ensure that the negative experiences of the past will not happen again in the future and, adding that people need to feel safe.

Finally, he expressed support to the peace process and stressed that the political leaders are making a good effort to achieve peace, despite the difficulties they encounter at the negotiation table.

Davutoğlu : “We demanded lifting of the visa restrictions on Turkish citizens by the end of June”

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu stated that in the proposals package submitted to the EU, Turkey demanded lifting of the visa restrictions on Turkish citizens by the end of June.

Following the Turkey-EU Summit in Brussels, Davutoğlu held a joint press conference with European Council’s President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Stating that at the Turkey-EU Summit they submitted a series of constructive proposals on the issues of resolving the refugee crisis, strengthening the cooperation between Turkey and the EU, Davutoğlu indicated that these will be dealt with at the Summit which will be held next week.

Casey visited Atalay

The U.S. Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs Shaun Casey paid a courtesy visit to President of Religious Affairs Prof.Dr.Talip Atalay.