Akıncı: “Many factors are increasing the possibility of a solution in comparison to 2004”
President Mustafa Akıncı, who took part in a panel discussion organised by Friedrich Ebert Foundation towards bureaucrats, academicians and the representatives of non-governmental organizations, made a statement at a “round table meeting” and stated that he believed in the possibility of the solution of the Cyprus problem and added that many factors are increasing the possibility of a solution in comparison to 2004.
In his speech, Akıncı emphasized that the role of the UN was different during the solution process in the past and the solution agreement which will be put to a referendum in the current negotiation process will be prepared by himself and the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Anastasiades.
Stating that the division in Cyprus was rooted by the time and in the event of not reaching a solution at this time, it will never be solved hereafter, Akıncı said: “The biggest problem is the obstacles in the mind. If this problem is sorted out, removing the physical obstacles will be much easier.”
President Akıncı also mentioned that a referendum based on a plan by the UN was held on both sides of the island in 2004 and although the plan was approved by the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots had became an EU member since 2004. However, the Turkish Cypriots are not recognized and this situation helped the non-solution to become permanent in the island.
Moreover, during his visit to the TRNC Berlin Representative Office, President Mustafa Akıncı also gave an interview to a member of the German International Relations and Security Institute, academician and journalist Dr. Günter Seufert.
After completing his contacts in Berlin, President Mustafa Akıncı and his accompanying delegation travelled to İstanbul for the 13th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Akıncı addressed German Federal Parliament’s Committee on Relations with Europe
President Mustafa Akıncı addressed German Federal Parliament’s Committee on Relations with Europe and said that first of all, the walls in brains should be destroyed in order to reach a solution in the island.
Akıncı had a meeting with the members of German Federal Parliament’s Committee on Relations with Europe at Federal German Parliament Building. In his speech, Akıncı pointed out that a solution to be reached in the island will develop the relations between the countries.
Furthermore, expressing the progress and the difficulties experienced at the negotiations, Akıncı informed about the confidence building measures. Adding that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots have grown up as the enemies, Akıncı said “When I took over my office, I expressed that we should consider ourselves as partners not as enemies.”
“You have succeeded to destroy the Berlin Wall 27 years ago. We voted “yes” at the referendum held in 2004 but due to the “no” votes of the Greek Cypriots, we could not succeed to destroy the wall in Lefkoşa. What we need is to destroy the walls in brains. If we do it, it will be easy to destroy the psychical walls” President Akıncı added.
German Parliamentarian Greens Party member Manuel Sarazzin expressed that the attitudes of the leaders give hope for a solution but in the event of missing this opportunity, the chance for a solution will be destroyed.
The Chairman of the Committee Gunther Krichbaum expressed his hope for the continuation of the works and said that they support the solution process.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit has begun
The 13th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) under the theme of the “Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace” is being held with the participation of heads of state and government of more than 30 countries hosted by Turkey in İstanbul. President Akıncı will also attend and make a speech at the Summit.
According to the news of the AA reporter, the Summit which is going to be held in İstanbul today and tomorrow will be one of the top level organizations of the OIC in terms of level and number of participants.
Some countries will attend the Summit at the level of President and Head of State, and some of them will attend at the level of Prime Minister, Speaker of the Assembly and Minister. The President of the European Council Donald Tusk will also attend the Summit.
UBP-DP-UG Coalition Protocol to be signed tomorrow
UBP-DP-UG Coalition Protocol will be signed tomorrow.
According to the statement made by the National Unity Party (UBP), the protocol will be signed by the leaders of the two parties in the TRNC Assembly tomorrow morning.
Denktaş received US Ambassador to South Cyprus, Doherty
Democrat Party National Forces (DP-UG) leader Serdar Denktaş received the US Ambassador to South Cyprus, Kathleen Ann Doherty.
After the meeting held at the Headquarters of the DP, no statement was made to the press.
Committee on Missing Persons has reached 1115 missing persons in 10 years
Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee on Missing Persons Gülden Plümer Küçük stated that the Committee has reached the remains of 1221 missing persons during the excavation works since 2006, however it was confirmed that only 1115 of them belonged to the project and 111 did not.
Noting that on average 120 missing persons have been located every year during the excavations, Küçük said that a record was broken with 157 identifications in 2014 and 163 excavation works in 2015.
Stating that the identification process slowed down due to complicated cases in 2015 and they had to receive support from the international experts in order to make improvements in the procedures, Küçük also noted that they expect 100 and above identifications in 2016.
The Committee on Missing Person is working for the excavation, identification and return procedures of 1508 Greek Cypriots, 493 Turkish Cypriots, in total 2001 missing persons in Cyprus between the years of 1963-1974.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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All the talk about possibilities are all centred around what lying politicians say. Not what really is going on. We all know that these people are in it for their own pockets, but they still do not look at the concrete mindset of a larger people mainly the Greeks, who were bitter and also are still.
They are like their comrades in Greece. Stubborn and greedy. that is their nature, as I have lived their, as well as Rep Cyp and loved the North.