President Akıncı: ‘zero troops and zero guarantees’ cannot be the starting point of talks

Stating that the approach of ‘zero troops and zero guarantees’ cannot be the starting point of talks, President Mustafa Akıncı said that insisting on such a position would only render the negotiations useless as this would create a deadlock.

Akıncı stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side’s goodwill has always been clear in the negotiation process. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side will be attending the Geneva conference on 28th June with goodwill, as they have in the past.

According to the TRNC Presidency’s statement, Akıncı claimed that it will be possible to reach a settlement if all sides attending the conference remain open-minded and added that Cyprus is big enough for everyone.

He said, “It is possible to solve the Cyprus problem, which has been ongoing for over 50 years, and to create a future where everyone can live in peace and prosperity on the island. This is the understanding that we are taking with us to Geneva. I only hope that the Greek Cypriot side and Greece do the same”.

Pointing out that the issue of security was not only important for the Greek Cypriot community but also for Turkish Cypriots, who represent a smaller percentage of the island’s population, the President reiterated his view that it was detrimental that the security concerns of both sides were addressed in any agreement to be reached on the issue.

He added, “We would not want our security to be perceived as a threat by our neighbours. We also don’t want them to feel the same way we do”.

Özgürgün: “A result can be obtained in Geneva if there is an intention”

The political parties in the TRNC Assembly assessed last week’s New York summit and the upcoming Geneva Conference which is planned to take place in the second half of June.

The meeting was hosted by President Mustafa Akıncı and lasted for an hour. The President briefed the representatives of the political parties on the outcome of his recent meeting in New York with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades.

The political parties expressed their support to President Mustafa Akıncı ahead of the upcoming Geneva conference.

UBP leader, Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün, expressed that an agreement can be reached in Geneva if there is an intention from both sides. He said, “If the Geneva conference ends without success, it will not be possible to reconvene it or to hold long-lasting negotiations again”.

Stating that a conference will be held in Geneva without preconditions and that all issues will be discussed in parallel with the hope of achieving a solution, Özgürgün said that the Turkish Cypriot side has always shown goodwill for a lasting and viable settlement and that it also took all the necessary steps. Özgürgün also stated that the first Geneva conference failed because of the stance of the Greek Cypriot side.

Prime Minister Özgürgün said, “Although the desired outcome has not been achieved after the four-month break, the decision to reconvene a conference is a positive step. I hope the Greek Cypriot side takes good advantage of it, as this is a great opportunity and the last chance to find a solution. We hope an agreement is reached in the presence of the guarantors, although we have not seen positive signals from the Greek Cypriot side yet”.

New Geneva Conference to be held on 28 June

The UN in Cyprus has announced the date of the 2nd Geneva Conference on Cyprus.

According to the statement given by the UN Spokesperson, the five party conference will be held on 28 June, under the auspices of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres with the participation of President Mustafa Akıncı, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades, guarantor countries Turkey, Greece and the UK and in the presence of the European Union, as an observer.

The UN’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres planned to attend the opening of the Cyprus negotiations, which will restart on the 28th of June in Geneva.

In his statement to the reporters, Dujarric expressed that the Security issue will be discussed at the conference as well as other outstanding issues, however it will become clear at the negotiations whether a compromise will be achieved or not.

TRNC Human Rights Association criticises the UN and the Greek Cypriot side

The TRNC Human Rights Association has argued that the UN’s scorecard on justice and human rights in the TRNC is worse than that in Syria, with regards to the negotiations that have been continuing for over 50 years.

Making a statement, the TRNC Human Rights Association stated that there was a “distorted Greek Cypriot mentality” which did not work cooperatively for the common sharing of everything such as water from Turkey, electricity, mobile communication, vehicle insurances, transportation, trade and tackling crimes, even in the prevention of natural disasters. It called on the government and the Assembly to take up a positive position in order to clear the road to achieve peace.

Padaniya was the champion at CONIFA EURO 2017 NORTH CYPRUS

The Padaniya football team became champions at CONIFA EURO 2017 North Cyprus. During the 6 day tournament, the TRNC National Team was set to second place and Szekely Land to third place.

A prize ceremony was held after the final match, and prizes were presented to the winners.

41st TRNC International Fair opens

 The 41st TRNC International Fair opened its doors last night.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Sibel Siber, Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün, Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Derya Kanbay, Foreign Affairs Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, Economy and Energy Minister Sunat Atun, Tourism and Environment Minister Fikri Ataoğlu, the Chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce Mustafa Kaymak, some MPs, and the authorities of participating companies and exporters.

The fair, at which 150 companies will exhibit their products, will end on June 18th.

The Cyprus Rally, part of the Middle East Rally Championship, to take place on 16-18 June

The Cyprus Rally, which is part of the European Rally Championship (ERC) and Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), will take place on 16-18 June this year. The rally will start in Larnaca on Friday 16th of June.

In total, 75 rally racers will participate in the race this year, including 37 racers from South Cyprus, 12 racers from the TRNC, 20 racers from third party countries and 6 rally racers from Turkey. The north stage of the rally will be held on Saturday 17th of June at 11.30 and 16.30. Various activities will be also organized at Dereboyu, Lefkoşa. The special audience stage of the rally will start at Taksim Field.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

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