President Mustafa Akıncı called for the Greek Cypriot leader to give up ‘tactical manoeuvres.’ He said, “The strategic target may be lost due to tactical manoeuvres. Our strategic targets are peace and a solution”. President Akıncı said that a solution in Cyprus can only be possible if the Turkish Cypriots are respected and treated with understanding. Commenting on the Greek Cypriot leader’s statement last week, Akıncı said, “the Greek Cypriot leader wants to discuss the issues of territory, security and guarantees in Geneva and leave the remaining issues for a later discussion; this means that he wants to discuss the rotating presidency later. Such an understanding is not possible in the negotiation process.”
President Mustafa Akıncı stressed that a solution is not possible if the Greek Cypriot side does not accept the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots and a rotating presidency.
19th of May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
The 19th of May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day was celebrated with several events in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and in Turkey. The celebrations began with the opening speech of the National Education and Culture Minister Özdemir Berova on BRTK. Wreaths were laid at the Atatürk monuments in Lefkoşa as well as in other cities and villages. President Mustafa Akıncı participated in the opening ceremony alongside the Parliament’s deputy Speaker Hüseyin Avkıran Alanlı, Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün, 2nd President Mehmet Ali Talat, Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Derya Kanbay, Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Force Command Lieutenant General Ömer Paç, Security Forces Commander Major General Yılmaz Yıldırım, Supreme Court President Narin Ferdi Şefik, Leader of the Republican Turkish Party Tufan Erhürman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Serdar Denktaş, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu and other ministers, parliamentarians and officials.
During the ceremony, that was held at the Atatürk Monument in Lefkoşa, flags were raised, the national anthem was played and a minute of silence was observed. At the end of the ceremony, Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Derya Kanbay handed President Mustafa Akıncı soil brought directly from Anıtkabir, Turkey.
Atun meets Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr Hajjar
Minister of Economy and Energy Sunat Atun met with the Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Dr. Bandar M.H. Hajjar.
Following the meeting, Atun said that he had a very fruitful discussion with Hajjar and that they have decided to start initiatives to give investment credits through the TRNC Development Bank.
Atun asked the General Director of the TRNC Development Bank Ercan İbrahimoğlu to start the necessary negotiations, and stressed that this cooperation will open the way for investors.
Çavuşoğlu speaks about guarantees and the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus after a solution is reached
During an interview with the Greek Cypriot daily Fileftheros, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that he believes that after a solution is reached, the system of guarantees and the presence of the Turkish troops in Cyprus need to continue.
According to a brief preview of the interview, Çavuşoğlu argues that the existing guarantee system provides “a strong framework to ensure the future stability of the island.” He further stressed that “the overwhelming majority of Turkish Cypriots will not accept a settlement without Turkish guarantees”.
Çavuşoğlu said that Turks and Greeks must be treated equally in order to maintain an outside balance between the two countries, both of which are guarantor powers. He also said that Turkey will keep acting as the motherland after a settlement and will continue to provide security to the island within the system of guarantees.
The Foreign Minister stated that the two sides of the island have to work to achieve an integrated solution with the participation of the three guarantors, and that Turkey is doing everything in its power to help reach a fair and lasting solution.
Reminding that the former Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Rolandis had published a long list of proposals rejected by the Greek Cypriot side ten years ago, Çavuşoğlu noted that the Macmillan Plan in 1958, the Acheson Plan in 1964, the bicommunal constitution in 1975, the Perez de Cuellar Document in 1983, the Gali Set of Ideas in 1992, and the Annan Plan in 2004 were some of the proposals rejected by the Greek Cypriots.
Furthermore, Çavuşoğlu stated that the status quo is unacceptable for both sides and that a new and prosperous Cyprus will be welcomed by all intervening parties.
He noted that they are surprised by the continuing lack of political will from the Greek Cypriot side and that the opportunity window to reach a solution is closing very fast, and this is their last opportunity after the 50-year negotiations. Çavuşoğlu stressed that a comprehensive solution will be beneficial for both sides.
TRNC Assembly delegation holds meetings at the European Parliament
A delegation from the TRNC Assembly, composed of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Deputy Armağan Candan, the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Deputy Zeki Çeler and the Independent Deputy Hasan Taçoy, held meetings at the European Parliament from the 16th to the 18th of May.
During the meetings, the delegation discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus talks, the part concerning Cyprus in Turkey’s EP report, their views about speeding up the Turkish Cypriot side’s EU harmonization process and the relationship between Turkish Cypriots and the European Parliament among other issues of concern to the Turkish Cypriots.
The delegation met with the European Parliament’s Christian Democrats Group, Socialists Democrats Group, Conservative and Reformist Group, Liberal Group, Freedom and Direct Democracy Group as well as with representatives from the Greens Group and other MPs.
The delegation also met with the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Turkey Kati Piri and the European Parliament’s Rapporteur Lopez Aguilar to discuss the work carried out by the Missing Persons Committee in Cyprus.
They also attended the General Assembly of the European Parliament and listened to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ speech.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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After so long, I cannot understand why the Turkish Cypriot side keep on flogging a dead horse.
That horse is not going to move unless some miracle may happen and if it does, then the situation is still going to be the same.
So a catch 22 situ and always will be with the mindset of the Greek Cyps