TRNC News 4.10.2016 - Akıncı: “Anastasiades should think about future generations, not next elections”

Akıncı: “I wish that Anastasiades would think about future generations, not the next elections”

Cyprus International University’s 2016-2017 academic year has commenced with the first lesson being delivered by President Mustafa Akıncı at Çevik Uraz Conference Hall.

In his speech, President Mustafa Akıncı touched upon the history of Cyprus, as well as negotiations and the Cyprus problem. Akıncı said that he tries to explain to all parties the reason behind the efforts for finding a settlement in 2016. If a solution cannot be achieved before the end of the year, everything will be much more difficult in 2017.

Akıncı called for the Greek Cypriot Leader to think about future generations, and not the next elections. Akıncı also stated that the negotiations are taking place in a three-stage format, but if the current opportunity is lost, the divide will be strengthened.

Ertuğruloğlu received members of the World Association of Press Councils

Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu received members of the World Association of Press Councils (WAPC) who are in the TRNC to attend the organisation’s 17th Ordinary Executive Council Meeting.

In a reception for the WAPC which was held at the Foreign Ministry’s Conference Hall, Ertuğruloğlu highlighted the latest developments in Cyprus and answered questions from the guests.

Minister Ertuğruloğlu also hosted a dinner in honour of the WAPC’s members.

Eide: “No other Leaders could have achieved as much progress as Akıncı and Anastasiades”

The UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide has stated that no other Greek or Turkish Cypriot Leaders could have made as much progress as President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades have achieved so far in the Cyprus talks. The Cyprus negotiations have never progressed as far as they have now.

For Eide, the Annan Plan prepared by the UN was different, as now the basis for an agreement has been written and agreed by Cypriots.

The UN support the negotiations but do not have any role in writing the agreement, Eide noted.

“It would be tragic if all parties could not make the most of this opportunity for a solution,” Eide noted. However, Eide believes that the two Leaders are committed to solving the Cyprus problem.

Eide met with President Mustafa Akıncı yesterday, to prepare for a new phase in the negotiations.

The third round of the intensified negotiations starts today

The third round of intensified negotiations in the Cyprus talks, which are taking place under the auspices of United Nations, will start today. The first Leaders’ meeting following the tripartite meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York will be held in the buffer zone at the building allocated for the negotiations.

The next steps to be taken in the negotiation process, and the planning of the process, are expected to be discussed at today’s meeting. The Leaders will discuss the remaining areas of contention in the Chapters on Administration and Power Sharing, Property, EU and Economy, as they move forward to the next of the negotiations.

The Turkish Cypriot side has called for the Territory issue to be discussed outside of Cyprus in a neutral location, in a similar format to the current camp negotiations. They would also like it to be followed by a five party summit, which the guarantor countries will also attend, to discuss the issue of Security and Guarantees.

The Tourism and Environment Minister Fikri Ataoğlu travelled to Tehran

The Tourism and Environment Minister Fikri Ataoğlu has travelled to Tehran as part of an official visit which aims to increase the number for tourists.

Ataoğlu will also attend events in two cities in Iran, Tabriz and Tehran, with representatives from the TRNC’s tourism sector, the Hoteliers Association, the Travel Agents Association and Turkish Airlines. Tourism in the TRNC will be promoted at the events.

Ataoğlu said: “We are doing our best and working nonstop in order to promote our country and move to where we deserve to be in terms of tourism.”

Promotion of the TRNC’s tourism sector will begin in Baku, Moscow, London, in addition to other places. Ataoğlu noted that the campaign will give a bright new image to the TRNC brand in the global market.

Health Minister Sucuoğlu to travel to Ankara

The Minister of Health Faiz Sucuoğlu will travel to Ankara tonight on an official visit. As part of his trip to Ankara, Sucuoğlu will meet with Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdağ as well as the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Tuğrul Türkeş.

Minister of Education and Culture Berova to travel to İstanbul

Minister of Education and Culture Özdemir Berova will travel to İstanbul in order to attend the 3rd session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers. Berova will make a speech as a representative of an observer state.

Cyprus becomes the first cross-border sporting event since 1974

The south and north stage of The CNP Asfalistiki Cyprus Rally 2016, which is part of the European Rally Championship and Middle East Rally Championship, was promoted in a press conference held in Nicosia Turkish Municipality.

The Cyprus Rally will be held thanks to cooperation from the Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA), part of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). The rally will take place in Lefkoşa from 7 – 9 October and a special inner city stage will be held on Saturday 8 October. The race will start at 15.00.

Mehmet Harmancı, Mayor of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, stated that the Cyprus Rally has brought great energy to Nicosia since 2014, and will be a historical occasion as it becomes the first cross-border sporting event since 1974.