TRNC News 8.5.2017 Akinci: Willpower, determination, realism more than time for Cyprus result

Akıncı: “If we want to get a result in Cyprus we need willpower, determination, reasonableness and realism more than time”

President Mustafa Akıncı stated that willpower, determination, reasonableness and realism are of greater importance than the required time in order to achieve a result in Cyprus.

Speaking at the Global Leaders Forum organised by the Bahçeşehir University, President Akıncı emphasized that the only way to overcome the problems in Cyprus will be to sit and work towards a solution and avoid unilateralism. President Akıncı also added that he has made his views clear to the Greek Cypriot leader in this regard.

Noting that last year he had hoped for 2016 to become the year of solution at the same forum at Bahçeşehir University, Akıncı said, “The reasons behind this goal are very clear: 2017 has brought some significant risks in terms of the Cyprus talks. Presidential elections will be held in the Greek Cypriot side. Furthermore, the Greek Cypriot Parliament took a decision to commemorate Enosis at schools after 67 years and negotiations stopped for two months for this reason. We did our utmost with good intentions to reach a conclusion in 2016 as the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey. We also did our part on territory and map issues, but the Greek Cypriot side did not demonstrate the necessary courage and intention.”

Akinci continued, “If we want to get a result in Cyprus, we need willpower, determination, reasonableness and realism instead of more time. The reason why we have not achieved any firm outcomes, even now, is the stance of the Greek Cypriot side. Our rights have been repressed for 54 years. We have the right to an equal partnership in the administration of Cyprus. In the establishment of a new state, political equality is our sine qua non. My people, the Greek Cypriot administration and the UN are aware that I will not sign an agreement and present it to a referendum unless a solution has been reached based on political equality. Both sides’ effective participation in the decision-making process is very important.

Although some are claiming that there is no need for a timetable, 50 years have already passed and we have no intention of carrying on with the same discussions for another 50 years. In all likelihood, this is the last effort of my generation for a federal solution. I think the work of the UN needs to be accelerated. I do not offer arbitration but the UN can develop its bridging role between the sides” President Akıncı concluded.

Özgürgün: “As long as the Turkish Cypriot people exist on this land, the flag will remain on the mountains”

Stating that the flag on the Beşparmak Mountains is a turning point and a product of great energy and effort, Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün said last week that as long as the Turkish Cypriot people exist on this land, the flag will continue to remain on the mountain.

Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün spoke while he received a delegation from the Society for the Illumination of the Flag at Beşparmak Mountains headed by Tanju Müezzinoğlu.

During the meeting, Özgürgün stated that the flag is a symbol of the presence of the Turkish Cypriot people on this land, and that it is an important project and action.

Atun holds contacts in the UK

Economy and Energy Minister Sunat Atun, who participated in the Festival of North Cyprus in London last week, organized under the slogan “We are carrying the TRNC to London”, held meetings with Emma Edhem, President of Turkish-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TBCCI), President of Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce UK (CTCC), Muhammet Yaşarata and Global Vision 2000 General Manager Moeen Yaseen.

Tourism investors, representatives of universities, banks, airline companies, construction and real estate companies as well as industrialists and health sector firms from the TRNC took part in the festival.

Economy and Energy Minister Sunat Atun said that such overseas organizations are extremely important in order to create new markets and new export gateways in the globalizing world.

Atun also said that the Turkish-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce UK have agreed on further cooperation, especially on energy and trade issues.