TRNC News 10.2.2017 Akinci: Greek Cypriot side should prepare community for realities

President Akıncı: “The Greek Cypriot side should prepare its community for some realities”

Speaking to the media following his meeting yesterday with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades, President Mustafa Akıncı informed the press and replied to questions following the meeting. He reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side will do their utmost to achieve a solution, and that they will do their part for a solution, however other parties also need to do the same. He added that the Greek Cypriot side should start preparing its community for some realities and potential outcomes from the talks.

Akıncı also stated that the second Conference on Cyprus in Geneva will probably take place after 13 March.

President Akıncı emphasised that both sides are aware that any agreement which does not include a rotating presidency is not possible and would not be presented to a referendum. Akıncı reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side, as well as the Greek Cypriot side, also has indispensable principles, such as ‘security’, ‘equality’, and ‘freedom,’ and a rotating presidency is one of them.

Turning to the recent attacks on Turkish Cypriot cars in Troodos, Akıncı said that the important thing is to find and punish the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Akıncı also pointed out the importance of seeing these punishments and justice fairly served by the Turkish Cypriots, and added that they shared their concerns on this issue which is shared with the Greek Cypriot side.

TRNC was represented with its official name for the first time at OIC conference

TRNC was represented with its official name at the meeting of a high-level summit held in Jeddah for the first time. Labour and Social Security Minister Hamza Ersan Saner attended the conference, on the theme entitled “Empower the Marriage and Family Institution and the Preservation of its Values”,  which was organized by the OIC in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the participation of 57 countries.

Speaking at the ministerial conference, Saner said, “We have participated in such conferences as an observer member until today, and it is important for us to be represented with the name of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Thank you.”

According to the information given by the ministry, Saner gave detailed information to the ministers of the Islamic countries about the institution of marriage and family in Cyprus, as well as initiative work and legal regulations to ensure unity and integrity of the family institution.  Minister Saner also exchanged views with the ministries of Kyrgyzstan, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Azerbaijan and other OIC member countries and briefed them about the Cyprus issue.

Greek Cypriots and Russians target TRNC Tourism

Speaking through the Russian Tass Agency, the Russian Ambassador to South Cyprus, Stanislav Osadchiy, has said that the TRNC is an ‘occupied territory’ and banned by the so called Republic of Cyprus. He claimed that those who entered the TRNC were arrested when they crossed to the south, and tried to spread fear. Osadchiy also called on boycotts to the TRNC.

Reacting to the Russian Ambassador’s call to boycott the TRNC, the TRNC Tourism Minister Fikri Ataoğlu said, “it is obvious that the Russian ambassador made such a statement under pressure from the Greek Cypriot side, because Russians who come to the north are safe and happy”.

Ataoğlu pointed out that the TRNC will attend a tourism fair in Moscow in March, and that many Russian tourists  prefer the TRNC as a holiday destination.

Çavuşoğlu: Cyprus solution “is an opportunity not to be missed”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said that finding a settlement on the Cyprus issue “is an opportunity not to be missed”. He added that  “the TRNC has a clear stance for a fair and lasting solution.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who is in Madrid for an official visit, was speaking at a conference organized by the Real Elcano think tank.

Mentioning the Cyprus negotiation process, Çavuşoğlu said, “A failure regarding the negotiation process is beside the point, and we still have hope that a solution will be reached. It is important that our experts continue to work side by side.”

Touching upon Turkey’s EU membership process, Çavuşoğlu said, “Turkey’s request for EU membership is not a personal but a strategic choice. We want to be a full member of the EU, but if the EU does not want us, it has to make a decision and be honest with us. We have not changed  our minds.” Çavuşoğlu called on the European Union to clarify its position on his country’s membership.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

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