Government Crisis
Following the decision taken by the National Unity Party (UBP) Assembly to withdraw from the coalition government, five UBP deputies will submit their resignations to Prime Minister Ömer Kalyoncu today. Coalition partner Republican Turkish Party (CTP) will convene this evening in order to determine the steps to be taken. Prime Minister Ömer Kalyoncu will act in accordance with the decisions to be taken at this meeting.
The justification of the decision of UBP Party Assembly to withdraw from the government was declared as “losing the ability and capability of a broad-based government to serve the public.”
After the early general elections in July 2013, the CTP-DP coalition government which was formed by CTP Lefkoşa Deputy Özkan Yorgancıoğlu served between 31 August 2013 and 15 July 2015 and then the CTP-UBP government took office under the Prime Ministry of CTP Girne Deputy Ömer Kalyoncu on 15 July 2015.
Lidington repeated the UK‘s support to the negotiation process
British Minister of State for Europe David Lidington telephoned President Akıncı yesterday evening and repeated the UK’s support to the ongoing negotiation process.
Stating that they closely follow the constructive stance of President Akıncı and his negotiating team in the talks, Lidington said that the UK is extremely pleased with progress achieved so far.
President Akıncı for his part underlined the importance of the UK’s constructive support to the process.
Akıncı also pointed out that the contribution of the UK and the EU is very important as well as other relevant parties for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
The details and possible dates for the UK visit of President Akıncı upon the invitation of the British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond were also discussed.
President Akıncı’s official visit to London is planned to be held shortly after the EU referendum in the UK on 23rd of June.
Foreign Minister Çolak explained Cyprus problem to University students
Foreign Minister Emine Çolak received a group of students of the Brussels Campus of the American University. In her speech, Çolak said that an active and interesting process is being experienced in terms of the Cyprus problem and she believes that it is the right time for a solution.
Adding that there is good progress in 4 of 6 chapters of the negotiations, Çolak said that the issues of territorial arrangements and security/guarantees will be discussed at the last stage of the negotiations. Expressing that security which is accepted by both sides should be provided, Çolak said that the EU and NATO should also be a factor on this issue.
Furthermore, underlining that the current status quo is not acceptable, Minister Çolak said that Turkish Cypriots want to be a part of the solution with their Turkish Cypriot identities and they should not have to live in uncertainty.
34% of Greek Cypriots will not vote for any party
According to a survey released by Lefkoşa University regarding the general parliamentary elections to be held in May in the Greek Cypriot side, one of the questions which was asked of the participants was “if an election is conducted next Sunday, which party will you vote for?” DISI 20%, AKEL 15%, DIKO 6%, Citizens Alliance 4%, EDEK 3%, Ecologists and Environmentalists Movement 2%, Solidarity Movement 2%, ELAM 1% and 34% said none.
On the other hand, the Greek Cypriot daily Simerini reported that the question about “which party keeps its word?” was responded to as “none” by 67% of the participants.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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