TRNC News Today 10th March 2016 - FM Colak holds contacts in Strasbourg

Foreign Minister Çolak holds contacts in Strasbourg

Within the framework of her contacts in Strasbourg, Minister Çolak had meetings with the Co-President of the Greens in EP Rebecca Harms, EP Turkey Rapporteur Kati Piri, EU Commissioner Responsible for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and Secretary General of the European Council Gabriela Battaini-Dragoni.

During the meetings, Minister Çolak gave information about the latest stage reached at the negotiations. Çolak stressed that both leaders in Cyprus have taken a decision not to blame each other during the negotiations continuing under the UN umbrella for not giving harm to the process. Expressing that the Turkish Cypriot people’s desire for a solution is still continuing, Minister Çolak said that Turkish Cypriot people are disappointed for the EU’s attitude following the 2014 referendum that’s why Turkish Cypriots and the European Union should establish closer relations.

The draft paragraph regarding Cyprus within the Turkey Report was also discussed at the meetings. Minister Çolak expressed that the paragraph regarding Cyprus should be shaped in a supportive and protective way, not in a damaging way.

Furthermore, meeting with the EP Turkey Friendship Group, Minister Çolak gave information about the negotiation process and replied to the questions of the parliamentarians.

Seibert: “Turkey’s proposal package has been found positive by EU countries”

German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert stated that Turkey’s proposal package which was brought to the agenda of the EU-Turkey Summit by Turkey has been found positive by the EU countries and the evaluations are continuing. Seibert said “Our common aim is to reach substantial decisions at the EU Summit to be held on Thursday and Friday next week”.

Furthermore, adding that the proposals of Turkey which were conveyed by Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoğlu at the EU Summit held on 7 March in Brussels regarding the refugee crisis, Turkey’s EU process and visa exemption have been welcomed by the EU countries, Seibert said that various factors in the proposal package will be analysed and the aim is to reach a decision at the EU Summit to be held on 17-18 March.

Sizopulos leaked the reports of National Council

Greek Cypriot socialist EDEK leader Marinos Sizopulos leaked the reports of National Council which comprised of the agreements between the Greek Cypriot Administration leader Nikos Anastasiades and President Mustafa Akıncı.

The Greek Cypriot radio announced that some information about the issues on which Anastasiades and Akıncı have reached compromise was declared by Sizopulos at a press conference yesterday.

Sizopulos criticised Anastasiades over his handling of the Cyprus talks and some of the confidential items being discussed on the agenda of the negotiating table. He also expressed that the public had a right to know the truth. Above all, he felt he has the responsibility and duty to inform the Cypriot public on what is going on behind their backs regarding the negotiations for solving the Cyprus problem.

The Greek Cypriot Administration leader Nikos Anastasiades indicated that it was “an unacceptable act” that Sizopulos revealed the reports of the National Council and especially published “secret reports.”

According to the Greek Cypriot sources; in his published reports Sizopulos included the formation of the Constitutional Court, lawyers that will be sent to the EU judicial organisations, the categories in which the citizens will be distributed in the new state, the property, formation of the government (The Senate and the federal Assembly) and formation of the Public Service Commission.

Çavuşoğlu: “We shouldn’t hide behind the Cyprus issue”

In his speech at the joint press conference following the Turkey-Belgium triple meeting of Ministries, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said: “we shouldn’t hide behind the Cyprus issue”.

Such an important issue should not be blocked by the Greek Cypriot side without a solution. We will act together again to improve the living conditions of Syrians living in Turkey. We gave more detailed information regarding proposal to the EU on immigration and EU’s thought on the subject. We also mentioned our expectations about travelling without a visa and the necessity of opening new chapters.

Theoharus: “I want to unite with Greece”

Greek Cypriot European MP and the Leader of the Solidarity Movement Eleni Theoharus claimed that there is an Hellenic island.

Greek Cypriot daily Politis noted the statement of Theoharus made in Athens regarding “Unification with Greece”. In her statement, Theoharus said “The previous generations grew up with the vision of ENOSIS (union with Greece) and they felt that this was the fair solution to the Cyprus problem. Today if we had a right of choice and if every citizen had a right to make a free selection, I would even vote “yes” for Cyprus’ unification with Greece.”

Greek deputy who insulted Turks was fired from the European Parliament session

Tension increased at the European Parliament session where the immigrant agreement was planned to be signed between Turkey and the EU.

In his speech at the session, Greece’s racist Golden Dawn Party member Eleftherios Sinadinos said, “A Turk is like a dog. He seems wild but runs away when he faced with an enemy.”

Thereupon, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz asked the deputy to be dismissed from the hall. Then Sinanidos was taken out from the hall by the officials. Schulz stated that the Greek deputy was dismissed because “he exceeded the red line and tried to make racism acceptable.”

President Akıncı received Volkan

President Mustafa Akıncı received and congratulated Turkish Cypriot Prof. Dr. Vamık Volkan who was granted the Mary Sigourney Award this year in the psychoanalysis field.

Akıncı emphasized that Prof. Dr. Vamık Volkan, who is a valuable scientist and has important contribution to the science world, is a source of pride for them. He is “one of us” said Akıncı.

Stating that Volkan has reached very near to the Nobel Peace Prize nomination not only with his books, but also with his studies on political psychology and with his contributions to the peace process Akıncı said that it has not actualized now, but it can always be.

Akıncı also gave a plaque to Volkan in memory of the day.

Tourism Ministry has attended ITB Berlin Tourism Fair

The Tourism Ministry is promoting the country’s tourism in “ITB Berlin Tourism Fair” which is known as the world’s largest tourism exchange. Besides the Ministry officials, representatives of the tourism sector also participated in the fair which is being held in Berlin for the 50th time between the dates of 9-13 March. Tourism Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu also participated in the fair in order to hold contacts that will contribute to the country’s tourism.

The “ITB Berlin 2016 Fair” was attended by the tour operators, airline companies, travel agencies, tourism authors, companies producing tourism technology, restaurants, tourist associations, hotels, cruise tourism companies, tourism marketing companies

KTSO visited the Ambassadors of Holland and Italy

The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO) visited Holland’s Ambassador to South Cyprus Brechje Schwachöfer and Italy’s Ambassador to South Cyprus Guidi Cerboni.

The President of Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry Ali Çıralı, Chamber of Industry Foreign Affairs and Trade Coordinator Çağlar Türk and Foreign Relations Advisor Anıl Kaya were present at the meetings which were held for developing the relations with the European Union institutions, bodies and member states. Delegation of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry exchanged the views with the ambassadors regarding registration of Hellim at the EU Commission, the latest developments in the negotiations between the two leaders and the current issues concerning the EU and Cyprus.

Monument for the commandos of the coup

A Monument will be built in “Konstantinu and Eleni Cemetery” for EOKA commandos who attacked the Greek Cypriot leader Makarios III during the coup on July 15th 1974.

The Greek Cypriot Haravgi newspaper reported that the “All Cyprus Democratic Insurgents Association” is preparing to protest against the monument which is being built with the sponsorship of the Greek Cypriot government.

The newspaper also reported that the association qualified the project as a “monument of shame” and emphasized that this monument means an “insult against coup resistance” and “falsification of history”.

Furthermore, the association stated that a protest action will be held on Saturday and called all the Greek political parties and democratic masses to join the action.

South Cyprus and Israel are conducting military exercise

South Cyprus and Israel have started to conduct a military exercise within the borders of “Nicosia FIR Line” involving air and ground vehicles of the two countries’ as of yesterday morning.

According to the Greek Cypriot news sources, the Greek Cypriot Defence Ministry stated that the “ONISILLOS-GEDEON 1- 2016” exercise started yesterday morning and will end on 11 March. The exercise is being conducted within the framework of the “Bilateral Military Cooperation Agreement Program” which was signed between South Cyprus and Israel.