TRNC News Today 18^th March 2016

Akıncı: “The way to a solution in Cyprus will pass through Lefkoşa, not through Brussels.”

President Mustafa Akıncı said, “The way to a solution in Cyprus will pass through Lefkoşa, not through Brussels. Those who believe that Turkish Cypriots will be excluded in the solution process in Cyprus are dreaming. ”Emphasizing that the Greek Cypriot side’s intention to exclude the Turkish Cypriot side and address Turkey will never come true”, Akıncı said Turkey and Turkish Cypriot people will never approve it. “The solution will be reached and continued by Cypriots” Akıncı added.

In his written statement stating that TRNC always support Turkey’s “full membership” to the EU, Akıncı said that they also support the development of the relations with the EU in this context.

Akıncı continued as follows: “We are aware that as long as the Cyprus problem remains unresolved, Turkey’s membership will not be fully possible. Although there are many obstacles for Turkey’s full membership, the solution of the Cyprus problem will ease EU-Turkey relations to a certain degree. Brussels – Ankara and Athens are important centres that will contribute to the solution. It would be a mistake to think that the principles carefully protected by the TRNC and Turkey for years will be abounded for opening of chapters”.

Bozkır: We feel sorrow from the expression of “Turkey is blackmailing”

Regarding the statements of France and the Czech Republic as “We will not resign to Turkey’s blackmailing” Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs and the Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkır stated that he felt sorrow that the leaders of some EU countries accused Turkey of ‘blackmailing’.

Bozkır also said: “If it’s blackmail to submit a proposal to prevent illegal immigration that is reaching 6,000 a day, it means that this issue has not been understood in any way”.

Pointing out the very difficult negotiations to be held at the Summit, Bozkır said “Our proposal plan is valid at this stage. We expect our proposal to be accepted and reach significant results for the EU and Turkey. We will continue the negotiations with goodwill”.

Tusk: “I am cautious rather than being optimistic”

Stating that he is cautiously optimistic about reaching a settlement on the EU and Turkey refugee crisis, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said, “If I need to be fair, I am cautious rather than being optimistic.”

In his statement Tusk stated that the EU leaders at the Summit held yesterday agreed to strengthen their cooperation with Turkey. Indicating that difficult negotiations and talks are continuing, Tusk listed 3 major principles of the possible settlement as follows: “Firstly, the agreement should be approved by all 28 member countries. Secondly, the agreement should be compatible with EU and international laws and thirdly, the agreement should help to return to Schengen (removal of temporary controls), termination of the policy that sent refugees from one country to another, to provide humanitarian support to Greece, to support the West Balkan countries and provide support to the comprehensive strategy for strengthening cooperation with Turkey and also the agreement should help to solve the refugee crisis in an effective way.”

Schulz: “We will compromise with Turkey on the issue of refugee crisis”

President of the European Parliament (EP) Martin Schulz said that the European Union (EU) will compromise with Turkey on the issue of the refugee crisis. Regarding the Summit to be held between the European Union and Turkey, Schulz said, “We have to compromise with Turkey and we hope this agreement will be compatible with international laws. The agreement which will be signed between the EU and Turkey should comply with the European Council, the Geneva Convention, and the international laws on human rights, rules and regulations”.

In his statement to the reporters yesterday, Schulz emphasized that if they cannot reach an agreement with Turkey on relocation of the refugees, the number of the refugees will increase. “Therefore, we expect to reach an agreement with Turkey,” said Schulz.

The proposal which was offered by Turkey on 7 March that will bring a fundamental solution to the refugee crisis and strengthen the cooperation between the EU and Turkey was discussed yesterday by EU leaders. The agreement reached by the leaders will be discussed in detail today at the Turkey-EU Summit where Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu will also attend.

Tatar: “Turkey’s position on the Cyprus issue should continue”

National Unity Party (UBP) Lefkoşa deputy Ersin Tatar emphasized that for Turkey’s full membership to the European Union, Turkey’s concession from its own strategic interests for the Cyprus issue ignoring the rights and laws of the Turkish Cypriot community by trusting the Greek – Greek Cypriot duo and some other members, should be beside the point.

Stating that Turkey’s determined attitude on this issue was put forth one more time by Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs and the Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkır, Tatar said that this should be continued insistently.

“South Cyprus has launched a new policy of threats and blackmail with the excuse of the Cyprus problem”

Former Negotiators Ergün Olgun and Osman Ertuğ emphasized that Greek Cypriot Administration has launched a new policy of threats and blackmail with the excuse of the Cyprus problem while the negotiations in Brussels are carried out to seek a solution to the refugee crisis that is deeply affecting the whole of humanity.

In their joint statements, Olgun and Ertuğ pointed out the statements of the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Anastasiades concerning ‘Turkey’s fulfilling its responsibilities against the so called Republic of Cyprus, otherwise they will veto the opening of some chapters, as well as the statements of the Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Yoannis Kasulidis emphasizing that ‘Turkey should be patient until there is a solution in Cyprus, are some examples of the threat and blackmail policy of the Greek Cypriot Administration.

Kalyoncu received the delegations of Macedonian Mayors

Prime Minister Ömer Kalyoncu received the delegations of Macedonian Mayors under the guidance of Esentepe Mayor Cemal Erdoğan.

Stating that there is democracy at local authorities and their responsibilities are gradually increasing, Prime Minister Kalyoncu said that due to the importance of local authorities, their duties are increasing accordingly.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

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