Speaking at the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT) Regional Training conference in Girne this week, the TRNC Economy and Energy Minister Sunat Atun stated that the ICDT decision to hold its Regional Training conference on “Export Strategies for Primo-Exporters” among OIC member states in Girne this year is an important opportunity for the TRNC.
The ICDT is a subsidiary of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), of which the TRNC has observer member status.
During the workshop, which will run until 7 December, Minister Atun met with the ICDT Head of the Department of Labour and Education Mamoudou Sall
“In the past, our country has hosted workshops on behalf of the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT),” said Atun. “These included ‘Export Control and Increasing the Capacity of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)’ in 2008 and a training workshop on ‘Export Promotion and Investment Strategies in the Context of Globalisation’ in 2014. We are pleased that we have the opportunity, with this conference, to continue to strengthen our relations with OIC member states and the Secretariat within this framework. The TRNC very much looks forward to continuing to host meetings and events in cooperation with the OIC and its subsidiary institutions in the future.”
Lakadamyalı: “Regardless of whether a solution is achieved or not, the unjust and inhuman embargoes imposed on the TRNC must be lifted.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT) Regional Training Conference, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mustafa Lakadamyalı, stated that the embargoes which have been imposed on Turkish Cypriots over the last 50 years must be lifted immediately, adding that the isolations have created inequality and imbalance between both sides on the island. The event, which was organized in cooperation with the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ICDT, is being held in Girne this week.
During his speech, Lakadamyalı remarked that the Turkish Cypriot side’s efforts to find a solution to the ongoing Cyprus issue had not been reciprocated by the Greek Cypriot side and that this must be acknowledged by the international community. The Under-Secretary also described the TRNC’s decision to strengthen regional business ties with “friendly” countries within the OIC as an opportunity to develop new strategies for greater cooperation in trade, export and other areas.
Lakadamyalı also stressed that the isolation imposed on the TRNC has negatively affected everyday living for Turkish Cypriots in areas apart from export and trade. Nonetheless, the Undersecretary stated that an end to the unjust embargoes would encourage the Greek Cypriot side to consider Turkish Cypriots as equal partners in the negotiating process, providing fresh impetus for both sides to pursue a sustainable and stable solution for the island.
Head of the Department of Labour and Education, Mamoudou Sall, also gave a speech during the opening ceremony. Speaking on behalf of the ICDT Director General, Sall stated that the main objective of the workshop was to maximise human resources in order to contribute to the development of trade and investment strategies among the member states.
Presidential Spokesman: “Anastasiades is trying to reverse the facts”
Presidential Spokesperson Barış Burcu has criticised the Greek Cypriot leader’s depiction of the Cyprus negotiations, describing Anastasiades’ statements as a “distortion of reality” for domestic political gain.
In a written statement issued to the Turkish media, Spokesperson Burcu emphasized that the Greek Cypriot leader was responsible for moving away from a settlement for the sake of winning elections, and for putting all responsibility for the breakdown in talks on the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side.
He continued, “Mr. Anastasiades was the one who tried to slow down the negotiation process, stepped back from agreements, requested unnecessary and meaningless intervals in the negotiations saying “I am not ready”, who tried to hinder the Cyprus Conferences by putting forward what he knew would be unacceptable preconditions in Geneva and Crans Montana and for sabotaging the conference with his maximalist stance.”
“These are real and living facts that have been witnessed by all of those attending the conference, including the UN and the EU. Therefore, there cannot and should not be the smallest accusation against either the Turkish Cypriot side or Turkey. Mr. Anastasiades, who moved away from the solution for the sake of winning elections and tried to put the blame on the Turkish side, is trying to reverse the facts and distort reality.”
Deputy Prime Minister Akdağ: “Turkey will continue to work for a solution as a guarantor country with the TRNC”
The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs, Recep Akdağ, has reiterated that the Republic of Turkey will continue to work for a solution as a guarantor country of the TRNC.
During an interview with the Turkish state news channel, TRT Haber, the Deputy Prime Minister said that, as a guarantor country, Ankara’s efforts and contributions for a settlement in Cyprus would continue unfailingly.
“What we mean when we talk about a solution is a settlement where the existence of two politically equal communities is recognized under the roof of a partnership state. That is if the other side agrees to this. At the moment it doesn’t look like it will,” he added.
Comparing the Greek Cypriot side’s behaviour to that of “spoilt child”, Akdağ accused the Greek Cypriot Administration of acting as the sole proprietor of the island rather than working for a comprehensive settlement.
“We as the Republic of Turkey shall continue to contribute to the development of the TRNC. This will include working together with the TRNC to draw up a new roadmap for a settlement. However, I believe that it is more important that we develop the TRNC overall and increase the prosperity of the people living there,” he concluded.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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