Burcu: “The elimination of the commemoration of the Enosis Plebiscite in schools will enable the resumption of the negotiation process”
The TRNC Presidential Spokesperson Barış Burcu has stated that if the Greek Cypriot Parliament takes the necessary steps to eliminate the commemoration of the Enosis plebiscite at schools as soon as possible, this would pave the way to the resumption of the negotiation process. Speaking yesterday, Barış Burcu said that they welcomed the decision taken by the relevant committee of the Greek Cypriot Parliament with the cooperation of AKEL-DISI.
Pointing out that the misguided decision to commemorate the 1950 Enosis Plebiscite at schools has been voiced by more Greek Cypriots every day, Burcu said that these developments are very welcome.
“President Akıncı has informed the UN Special Envoy Espen Barth Eide that he will be ready to meet with Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades in a social setting at the end of March after the positive decision of the Greek Cypriot Parliamentary committee, and that the official negotiations may resume” said Presidential Spokesperson Burcu.
Müftüoğlu: “The Greek Cypriot side should stop acting as the sole owner of the island’s natural resources”
The Spokesperson of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hüseyin Müftüoğlu has urged the Greek Cypriot side, which refuses to accept the Turkish Cypriots as politically equal partners on the island, to refrain from acting as the sole owner of the island’s natural resources.
Ambassador Müftüoğlu made the statements in response to Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades’ meetings with the representatives of a hydrocarbon company in the USA earlier this week.
Müftüoğlu pointed to press reports that Anastasiades met with representatives of one of the hydrocarbon companies that took part in the Greek Cypriot Administration’s third international tender within its so-called exclusive economic zone, on 22 March. He said that these contacts demonstrate once again how the Greek Cypriot Administration disregards, in its unilateral pursuit of hydrocarbon-related activities, the inalienable rights on natural resources of the Turkish Cypriot people, the co-owners of the island. In this context, Müftüoğlu also reminded those present that the Greek Cypriot Administration approved the signing of exploration and exploitation contracts for three separate areas with several companies, including the relevant US company at the 17 March meeting of its Council of Ministers.
Müftüoğlu stated that this attitude shows the Greek Cypriot Administration is still not able to grasp the win-win potential for economic cooperation that can ensue on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean from a comprehensive settlement, towards which the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey have been redoubling their efforts. He said: “In previous years, such activities have led to the failure of efforts towards a comprehensive settlement. We also make use of this opportunity to remind once again that Turkey will take all necessary measures to protect its interests in the Eastern Mediterranean as well as the rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
Osman Örek commemorated today
Former Speaker of the TRNC Assembly and Prime Minister, Osman Örek will be commemorated today on the 18th anniversary of his death with a special ceremony to be held at his grave at Lefkoşa State Cemetery.
Örek, one of the late leaders in the Cyprus Turkish People’s national struggle for existence, left his mark in Turkish Cypriot political life, and also served as the Ministry of Defence in the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. He died on 24 March 1999.
10 companies from TRNC attend “The International Food & Drink Event” in London
10 companies from the TRNC have attended the International Food & Drink Event (IFE) in London under the brand name “North Cyprus” and under the umbrella stand of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO).
It was the first time the TRNC has participated in the fair, which was held between the dates of 19-22 March, 2017.
The TRNC participates in Travel Expo Ankara 2017 as a Guest of Honour
The TRNC took its place as a “Guest of Honour” at the Travel Expo Ankara 2017 Fair held in Ankara this week. Within the scope of the event, Promotion days for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be held. 42 cities and 220 participants from 7 countries will attend the fair, which will come to an end on Sunday 26th March.
The Travel Expo Ankara Fair is being held in Ankara at the ATO Congresium Fair and Congress Centre. At the event, which covers an area of 10 thousand square meters, the TRNC took its place with a 297 square meter stand with the theme, “Melandra Cyprus House”.
BRTK channel awarded the TÜRKSOY Honorary Press Award
The BRTK Television channel in the TRNC was considered worthy to win the TÜRKSOY Honorary Press Award this week.
The TÜRKSOY Honorary Press Award, which was awarded to increase awareness of those working in media around the Turkish world, was received by BRTK Program Producer and Presenter Müge Şule İlbuldu on behalf of Bayrak Radio Television Corporation from TRNC, with the coordination of the Culture Department.
The TÜRKSOY Honorary Press Awards ceremony was held in Turkistan, Kazakhstan which was chosen as the Culture Capital of the Turkish World 2017.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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Pictures shown are courtesy of the TRNC Public Information Office Facebook page.
Re resumption of talks between the North and South-
The decision to commemorate the ENOSIS plebiscite taken by the parliament in the south has not been recinded !! all they have done is passed the matter to their minister of education to decide !!! what i would like to know is will the parliament be able to veto the education ministers decision should he decide to continue with the celebration of the ENOSIS decison ??
As far as I am concerned even if they do not continue with the celebration decision the intention is still there !!! ie… the mindset of the vast majority of the greek cypriot people has not changed !!! meaning that should there be a referendum with a double yes vote- ie an agreement/settlement it will not last
Thank you Hatice,
Yours, is a point of view that is made so often