President Mustafa Akıncı met with Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Serdar Denktaş yesterday (12th September), as part of a series of working meetings ahead of his official visit to New York.
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TRNC News 12.7.2017 Akıncı: “not right to say solution not reached due to security and guarantees issues”
Akıncı: “It is not right to say that a solution was not reached due to security and guarantees issues”
In a speech during an event, President Mustafa Akıncı said that the claim that a solution could not be reached due to the security and guarantees issue is fundamentally untrue.
He said that the parties clarified the reasons why the Cyprus negotiations were left unresolved in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, yet he thinks these reasons should be also clarified by the UN Secretary-General.
Akıncı said, “Both the Turkish Cypriot side and the Republic of Turkey have shown more than enough flexibility to achieve a solution in this process”.
Stressing that they will not spend 50 more years trying to solve the Cyprus problem, Akıncı said that he had expressed several times that the conference had to be a decision conference, but that if the Greek Cypriot side only came to the conference “to produce a slogan”, then there is nothing to be done.
Akıncı added, “Zero troops and zero guarantees has become a slogan”, and emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey have shown more than enough flexibility in the negotiations, and it is time for the Greek Cypriot side to abandon the ‘zero troops and zero guarantees’ approach.
Akıncı criticised Greece and the Greek Cypriot side for refusing to negotiate when Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side were being flexible and taking steps forward. He said, “They chose to accept the presence of 40 thousand troops rather than only a group of a few hundred soldiers. This is the result”.
Reminding that he had run for office with the promise of working for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal settlement, Akıncı said that this did not mean that he would accept any settlement at any cost. He said, “I will not sign an agreement that will push our people into uncertainty”.
The President also explained that the UN Secretary-General had come up with criteria to discuss property that would have worked in favour of both sides and that they had accepted it, but added that he could not approve a plan that would push the Turkish Cypriots into uncertainty.
Also referring to the issue of territory, the President said that despite all the sensitivities on the matter, the Turkish Cypriot side, in agreement with Turkey, had taken a step forward on this regard based on the map that they had presented earlier.
Finally, he stressed that an agreement could have been reached to gradually reduce the number of troops on the island as trust, confidence and cooperation between the two sides grew, and said, “Unfortunately, an agreement was not reached due to the ‘zero troops and zero guarantees’ slogan adopted by the Greek Cypriot side”. He added that they will continue to work on plans for the future.
Siber: “If the Greek Cypriot people are not ready for a federation, we should not be asked to wait for a new solution model under isolation and embargoes”
President Mustafa Akıncı received the Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber and informed her about the Cyprus Conference in Crans-Montana.
In a statement to the press following the meeting, Siber said, “If the Greek Cypriot people are not ready for a federation, we should not be asked to wait for a new solution model under isolation and embargoes”.
She stated that the negotiation process to form a federation was ongoing for 50 years, and said that the Turkish Cypriot people have always showed will to solve the Cyprus problem.
Siber also said that, as both the Annan Plan referendum and the Crans-Montana conference ended without an agreement being reached, instead of blaming the other side, concrete facts and differences must be considered.
She also noted that there is no data on whether the Greek Cypriot people are ready or not for federation, and that a leader must receive strong support by his people to be able to negotiate the issues and be strong in the negotiation process.
Siber added that the Turkish Cypriot side voted “yes” to the federation model in the 2004 referendum and that the parliament supported the federation as well.
Özgürgün: “Turkish Cypriot people have no intention of being a minority”
UBP Leader and Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün made a statement after President Mustafa Akıncı discussed the Cyprus Conference with the political parties. He said that the discussion with the President was very fruitful.
Özgürgün said that the conference showed that the Greek Cypriot side has no intention of reaching an agreement within the framework of the UN parameters and that the negotiations that have been ongoing for 48 years will continue for another 48 years if they are not intervened. Özgürgün added that the UN, the UK and the EU agree with this.
The Prime Minister stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people will not accept to be considered a minority as the Greek Cypriot side wants.
Özgürgün also said that the TRNC can continue on its way even if there are some problems, and pointed out that it is necessary to make plans for the future.
Çavuşoğlu : “Everyone knows who is responsible for not reaching a solution”
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu went to Abidjan to attend the 44th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hosted by Cote d’Ivoire. Before the trip, he spoke to members of the press and said, “Continuing to negotiate does not mean accepting every demand from the Greek side. We surely refused illogical demands and we will continue to refuse them. Everyone knows who is responsible for not reaching a solution. The UN knows, the UK knows, the EU knows. The EU has seen our sincere attitude there.”
Cavusoglu continued, “We went to the Cyprus Conference with a very constructive attitude. During the 15 years of continued efforts we have been one step ahead of everyone else to find a just and permanent solution based on bi-communality and political equality. We have been 3 steps ahead of everyone else in Crans-Montana and shared our thoughts with everyone involved. All sides acknowledged that Turkey had a constructive attitude there. However, the Greek side only had one wish – to have zero soldiers on the island, to eliminate the Turkish guarantee, for Turkey to have no right to intervene unilaterally and to eliminate the ties between Turkey and Cyprus. It was completely impossible for us to accept such an illogical proposal.”
Saner: “The options to establish a federation within the parameters of the UN good offices’ mission have run out”
During the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), TRNC Minister of Labour and Social Security Hamza Ersan Saner said that the options to establish a federation within the parameters of the UN good offices’ mission have run out.
In his speech during the 44th Council of Foreign Ministers conference in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, which he attended as an observer member, Saner said that the OIC-2025 action program offers a good framework for solidarity among member countries and for overcoming the problems faced by the member countries. He added that the Turkish Cypriots are ready to collaborate and do their utmost to help overcome the problems faced by the member countries within the framework of the Organization.
Saner stated that the Cyprus Conference, that took place in Crans-Montana, ended without reaching any agreement because of the unconstructive and uncompromising attitudes of the Greek Cypriot side despite all attempts by the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey.
Saner also stressed that the Turkish Cypriots have been unjustly isolated from the world for half century now and cannot be condemned to endless negotiations and an uncertain future. He added, “the only thing left to do on the island is for the two equal people to solve their problems and live peacefully and respectfully as good neighbours”.
International Tourism Conference starts at the EMU
The 7th “Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management” (AHTMM) which has been organized every year since 2011 in Turkey, Greece, Taiwan, Mauritius, Japan and China began yesterday hosted by Tourism Faculty of Eastern Mediterranean University.
More than 100 participants from all over the world will have the opportunity to experience the North Cyprus’ tourism potential at the conference which will continue until 15 July 2017.
FIU is represented at the International Economic Union General Assembly
The Final International University was represented by Prof. Dr. Ercan Uygur at the 18th Congress and General Assembly of the International Economic Union which was organized in Mexico with the participation of world’s leading economic organizations and academicians. The International Economic Union is an institution within the body of UNESCO.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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TRNC News 22.6.2017 Siber: If negotiations fail, lifting isolation and embargoes “should be the primary goal”
Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber has stated that in the event of failure in the negotiations, the primary goal should be lifting the isolations and embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots.
Siber received the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Tuğrul Türkeş and his accompanying delegation yesterday. During the meeting, Siber stressed that the Cyprus negotiations have entered a new dimension, and that this process is considered as the final phase, and expressed her hope that a solution can be reached in Cyprus. Siber added that in the event the negotiations fail, the result should be evaluated in an objective manner, and that Turkish Cypriots should not be punished by the global public opinion and the United Nations.
Siber underlined that Turkish Cypriots desire a solution based on bi-communality, bi-zonality, and political equality. The Speaker stressed that this model for a solution has been subject to 50 years of negotiation, and that a new model should be found should the negotiations collapse.
In his speech, Türkeş said that Turkey desires the unjust isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots to be lifted as soon as possible. He pointed out that the whole world should be able to see which side does not want a solution to be found in Cyprus.
President Akıncı and the negotiation team to hold meetings in Ankara
Negotiation team, headed by Negotiator Özdil Nami, travelled to Ankara this morning as part of the preparatory work ahead of the Conference on Cyprus in Crans-Montana, to be held on 28th of June.
President Akıncı will also travel to Ankara this evening. Besides his high level meetings in Turkey, President Akıncı will also attend the working sessions of the negotiation team.
Ertuğruloğlu: “Turkish Armed Forces will continue to exist in Cyprus”
Discussing the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces on the island ahead of the Conference on Cyprus in Switzerland on 28 June, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu said, “The Turkish Armed Forces will continue to exist in Cyprus.”
Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu was replying to questions from an AA reporter regarding the Cyprus negotiation process and the Conference on Cyprus that will reconvene on 28 June in Crans-Montana.
Ertuğruloğlu stressed that Turkish and Greek Cypriots were old partners during the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. However, he emphasized that the main problem now is the attitude of the Greek Cypriot side which considers Turkish Cypriots a minority instead of a partner. Ertuğruloğlu also said that it is the Turkish Cypriot side who desires and requests an agreement in Cyprus, and that if an agreement is not reached, this should be officially declared by the UN. “We are expecting Crans-Montana to be the last stop” said Ertuğruloğlu.
Emphasizing that Turkey should have a unilateral right to intervention in case the Greek Cypriot side tries to take over the control of the whole island again, as they did in 1963, he said that the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces will be maintained on the island and that Turkey will have the right to unilaterally intervene if required.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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TRNC News 20.4.2017 Serbian children denied entry to TRNC by South Cyprus
Statement regarding the refusal of entry into TRNC of a Serbian group of children that arrived in South Cyprus in order to attend the 19th International 23rd of April Children’s Festival
Children’s performance groups from various countries including Serbia were invited to participate in the 19th International Children’s Festival being held on 23rd of April which was organized as part of the annual 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebrations.
A group of children from Serbia that arrived at Larnaca Airport in South Cyprus in order to attend the festival was refused entry into TRNC by Greek Cypriot police after being kept waiting for hours. Our Ministry’s diplomatic efforts to allow access for the Serbian group in the presence of the UN Peacekeeping Force throughout the day were unfortunately rejected and with no warning and without being allowed to exit the airport, the Serbian children aged 10-11 were sent back to their country in a cruel and inhumane way by Greek authorities in a private aircraft.
The aforementioned incident is the product of such a mentality that cannot even tolerate Turkish Cypriot children’s interaction with children from foreign countries and represents the latest example of Greek Cypriot Administration’s well known policy that intends to isolate Turkish Cypriots from the rest of the world.
It is once again proven that the current vision and mentality of the Greek Cypriot side has not changed, and that its restrictive attitude as well as its desire to subjugate the Turkish Cypriots still continues. The attitude of the Greek Cypriot side makes one re-question how a new partnership is to be established and even if realised, how it is to be maintained.
Ertuğruloğlu visits Qatar
Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu has travelled to Qatar within the framework of his meeting programme in Gulf countries.
Ertuğruloğlu, who began his meetings in Qatar’s capital Doha yesterday, met with Vice Chairman of Qatar Chamber, Muhammad Bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari. During the meeting, Kuwari and his delegation were briefed by Ertuğruloğlu on tourism, trade and higher education in the TRNC. Ertuğruloğlu stressed that Qatar businesses will be able to cooperate and develop trade relationships with businesses in the TRNC.
Speaking about the Cyprus issue and the ongoing negotiation process, Ertuğruloğlu warned that the Greek Cypriot side is not making efforts to establish an equal partnership with the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus, rather to tie the Turkish Cypriot people to lengthy negotiations and enforce heavy embargoes on them.
Ertuğruloğlu also pointed out that the Greek Cypriot Administration has recently prevented children who came to the island via South Cyprus from attending the Children’s Festival celebrations to be held in the TRNC on 23rd April.
Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu also attended the opening of the “Expo Turkey by Qatar” fair in Doha. Ertuğruloğlu, who participated in the fair as the guest of honour, in order to develop commercial relations between Turkey and Qatar and to enable joint investments, inaugurated the opening ceremony at the fair.
Additionally, Ertuğruloğlu met with President of the Tourism Commission of Qatar Hasan Al-Abraham.
Responding to questions, Ertuğruloğlu gave a briefing to Al-İbrahim about the Cyprus problem, the negotiation process and the latest developments with regards to the Cyprus issue. He also addressed the recent developments around Cyprus’ natural resources.
Pointing out that there are very strict trade and political relations between Qatar and Turkey, Ertuğruloğlu said that he was surprised that a Qatari company will cooperate with the Greek Cypriot side on natural gas in Cyprus.
Ertuğruloğlu emphasized that Turkish Cypriots share the rights of natural resources in Cyprus and that this should be taken into account. He also noted that Turkey would not allow a unilateral step in the name of natural gas.
Negotiations continue as leaders meet today
Cyprus negotiations will continue today, as President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades are set to meet at 18:30 (local time) at the UN buffer zone.
The negotiation process, which had been stalled due to the Greek Cypriot Parliament’s decision to commemorate the Enosis plebiscite in schools, resumed on 11 April after the Greek Cypriot side took the necessary steps to revert the Enosis decision. Following a two months pause, leaders discussed the new negotiation process at their first meeting and agreed on four meeting dates. Following today’s meeting, the two leaders will meet again on the 2nd, 11th and 17th of May.
Within the framework of the new negotiation process, negotiators Özdil Nami and Andreas Mavroyannis held a meeting yesterday at 12:00 (local time), under the direction of the leaders.
Burcu: “The Greek Cypriot side preventing children from attending International Children Festival is unacceptable”
Presidential Spokesperson Barış Burcu has said that the Greek Cypriot side’s decision to turn away Serbian children who arrived on the island via South Cyprus to attend the International Children’s Festival Celebrations in the TRNC is unacceptable
In a written statement Burcu stated that, “efforts by the Greek Cypriot Administration to prevent children to attend this festival is inadmissible. There is no reasonable justification or explanation for preventing these children from crossing into the TRNC, rather than sending them back to Serbia”.
Stating that the Greek Cypriot Administration continues its efforts to isolate the Turkish Cypriots from the world, Burcu said that the act was “unacceptable at such a time, when we are trying to continue our efforts to find a solution in Cyprus.”
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebrations have started at the TRNC Assembly
Activities to celebrate the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, which is on 23 April, have started as the torch was lit at the TRNC Assembly yesterday.
Around 500 primary school students from 6 different countries, including the TRNC, met at the TRNC Assembly to participate in the activities.
The torch was lit by Minister of National Education and Culture Özdemir Berova and Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber, symbolizing the beginning of the activities. The students from Turkey, Russia, Tatarstan, Kyrgyzstan and Lithuania represented their countries by wearing their local dress.
Addressing the students, Berova and Siber referred to the importance of this date, in which the first gathering of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, proclaimed by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is commemorated.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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TRNC News 18.4.2017 Akinci, Siber and Özgürgün met Islamic Conference Youth Forum representatives
Akıncı, Siber and Özgürgün meet representatives from the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation
President Mustafa Akıncı, Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber and Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün met with the Ambassador of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation, the President of the Forum, Elşad İskandarov and General Director, Elmaddin Mehdiyev, respectively.
No statement was made after President Mustafa Akıncı’s meeting.
During her speech at the reception in the Assembly Hall of Honour, Sibel Siber praised the organisation’s friendship and cooperation with the TRNC. Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people need to have a greater presence and be more active in the international arena, Siber said that she is optimistic that the embargoes will be lifted once others get to know more about the people, culture and democracy of life on the island. Finally, Siber thanked the forum for their mutual initiative, as well as the Forum’s cooperation and understanding.
Furthermore, President of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation, Elşad İskandarov said in his speech that young people from the TRNC will now participate in more activities as a result of the cooperation.
Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün spoke after the meeting, stressing the importance of the relationship between the TRNC and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. He also referred to the TRNC’s observer membership, which, he emphasized, is an important milestone for the TRNC. Özgürgün also welcomed the work done to achieve both participation in the forum and membership with the Islamic Cooperation Organization Forum.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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TRNC News 13.3.2017 Ozgurgun: “No territory concession in Cyprus”
Özgürgün: “No territory concession in Cyprus”
Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün has said that there will be no territory concession in Cyprus.
The Prime Minister was speaking during a conference at Florya Halit Aydın Campus of the Aydın University. He said, “Only the closed city of Maraş may be exchanged with a linking road to Erenköy. This is the official policy of the TRNC and Turkey also supports such an agreement”
Özgürgün also stressed that the decision of the Greek Cypriot administration to commemorate Enosis in Greek Cypriot schools cannot be considered acceptable.
Akıncı: Resumption of negotiations possible “if Greek Cypriot side corrects their mistake”
President Mustafa Akıncı has said that if steps are taken and the Greek Cypriot side corrects their mistake of voting to mark Enosis, it will be possible to restart the negotiations, but that this will not be possible if they ‘prefer to make things more difficult”. Akıncı also stressed that if the Enosis decision is addressed and the negotiations restart, some steps must be taken to re-establish confidence between the two sides.
Replying the questions of TAK Agency, Akıncı said that the Turkish Cypriot leaders and negotiating team are tired of expressing themselves at the negotiation table. He added that the UN should take more active role to restart the negotiations, but in an objective and impartial manner.
Furthermore, stressing that the concept of a minority-majority relationship is not possible in a federal solution, Akıncı underlined that the TRNC wants political equality, adding that this is a sine qua non in any federation.
Siber: Refusal of Greek Cypriot leader to accept political equality is “insincere”
The Speaker of the Assembly, Sibel Siber has said that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades’ refusal to accept political equality at the negotiation table is insincere.
Siber spoke at a meeting entitled “Cyprus Desk” organized jointly by Girne American University and the Cyprus American University.
In her speech, Siber responded to questions of academics and students on the Cyprus issue.
Expressing that goodwill and sincerity at the negotiation table demonstrate the will for a solution, Siber said that the Greek Cypriot side is not putting effort into preparing its community for a solution, and that this is obstructive to finding a viable solution.
Ertuğruloğlu: “President Akıncı should demand an apology from Anastasiades”
Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu has said that the correction of the Enosis mistake by the Greek Cypriot side is not enough for the Turkish Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table, adding that President Akıncı should also demand an apology from the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades.
Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu was evaluating the Cyprus negotiation process and responding to questions as part of a television programme.
Ertuğruloğlu explained that the challenge of the current negotiation process is not only the Enosis decision, but that the main problem is the Greek Cypriot side’s “minority-majority statement”.
Stating that the Turkish Cypriot side can only obtain minority rights in the current negotiation process, Ertuğruloğlu said if negotiations continue, it must be at a “state to state level” from now on.
“What are we going to negotiate with the Greek Cypriots, who consider the Turkish Cypriots as a minority in this current negotiation process?” asked Ertuğruloğlu, adding that the TRNC should be accepted in order to reach a solution in Cyprus.
North Cyprus ranks among the top 10 stands at the ITB Berlin 2017
North Cyprus was ranked among the top 10 stands at the ITB Berlin 2017 Tourism Fair last week, known as the world’s largest tourism fair.
187 countries attended the ITB 2017 Tourism Fair in Berlin, Germany which was established over an area of 160,000 square meters.
Plaques were presented to the TRNC stand which was judged as being among the top 10 stands.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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TRNC News 28.2.2017 Akinci: “Not right to say negotiations collapsed completely”
Akıncı: “It is not right to say that negotiations collapsed completely”
President Mustafa Akıncı has said that it is not right to say that negotiations have collapsed completely, adding “Now, we are waiting for the Greek Cypriot side to act wisely. We are calling on them to do this”.
Akıncı departed the island last night to head to the 13th Economic Cooperation Organisation Summit in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
In a press conference at Ercan Airport before travelling to Pakistan, Akıncı gave his evaluation of the Cyprus negotiations, saying “We are waiting for the Greek Cypriot side to take steps in the following days. If they do not take any positive steps, we will re-evaluate the situation with the whole community, because it will be a very important decision with great responsibility”.
Akıncı added that the Economic Cooperation Organisation Summit will be held at the highest level among presidents, prime ministers and ministers.
Referring to the Greek Cypriot side’s statements regarding his Pakistan visit, Akıncı said “the Greek Cypriot side is trying to create the impression that I am abandoning the negotiations and going to Pakistan. The Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister expressed the same view. Our taking permission to go to somewhere else is out of question. But as a matter of courtesy, while the agenda was being determined around a month ago, I said that a meeting would not be suitable at the beginning of March due to my visit to Pakistan. This was known by both the Greek Cypriot side and the UN. Despite the fact that the Greek Cypriot side knew this, they have sadly decided to exploit the issue.
Referring to the aftermath of the Greek Cypriot’s side Enosis decision, Akıncı said “I am following the process with great sorrow and astonishment. We will not be on the island for a few days. I hope that when we return, we see the Greek Cypriot side taking some steps. Greece and Turkey should help us. I have always warned that as the election approaches, the process will become more difficult. Therefore, if they want to take steps, they should do it as soon as possible”.
Siber: “The spirit of the negotiations has been damaged”
Speaker of the Assembly, Sibel Siber has said that recent events have proved that the security concerns of Turkish Cypriots are right, adding that the spirit of the negotiations has been damaged.
Siber also said that Enosis was the source of all the suffering experienced on the island.
Stressing that she consistently follows the meeting minutes, Siber said that she did not have the slightest hope for a solution in 2016. Indicating that she recognized the Greek Cypriot leader had not taken any positive steps regarding a rotating presidency and active participation in the decision making process, Siber said, “If he were sincere, he would explain to the Greek Cypriot people that a Turkish Cypriot leader can be president on a rotating basis in a federal structure.”
Siber said that the decision to introduce Enosis commemorations in schools had proved the Turkish Cypriots were right to be concerned over security, and that that the decision should be dismissed for the continuation of the negotiations.
Responding to questions from the Havadis newspaper, Siber emphasized that trust must be established again; otherwise instability will increase between the two societies.
Özgürgün: “Güzelyurt is the most important region of the TRNC”
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the new Güzelyurt Hospital, Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün said that these kinds of investments are proof that the Turkish Cypriots have deeply embedded roots in the island.
Özgürgün said, “I have drawn attention to the fact that the rumours about return of Güzelyurt have been spoken for years, and those who imagined this should now wake up. I reiterate that Güzelyurt is the land of the TRNC and that it is our most important and precious region. Everyone must realize that the prejudices and uncertainty about the region so far are unrealistic. The Greek Cypriot leader, who has been trying to usurp the fundamental rights, happiness and future of the Turkish Cypriots for years, should understand this as well.”
He also stated that the Greek Cypriot leader continues to perceive Turkish Cypriots as a minority group, like Armenians and Maronites, and that this perception did not surprise him.
Özgürgün added that it will not be possible to reach a federal solution in Cyprus unless the mentality of the Greek Cypriots changes.
Denktaş: Turkish Cypriot rights could be removed if a settlement does not include TRNC as an entity
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Serdar Denktaş has said that that all rights granted to Turkish Cypriots “on paper” in the event of a solution could easily be removed if the settlement did not include the TRNC as an entity.
In his statement yesterday, Denktaş said that the statements made by the Greek Cypriot side regarding the negotiation process were important in terms of understanding why the Cyprus issue could not be resolved.
Referring to the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades’ latest remarks that “the majority could not be equated with the minority”, Denktaş said: “This clearly means that the Greek Cypriot side does not accept the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people and that their understanding, which led to the events of 1964, has not changed. This mentality, which sees us as a minority, will be resurrected if we reach a forced solution.”
Denktaş continued, “Today, Anastasiades and all Greek Cypriot political parties, who enjoy the comfort of realising their dreams of Enosis indirectly through EU membership, can openly state that they see us as a minority and that we do not possess any other rights than those of a minority”.
Denktaş said that the Turkish Cypriots should focus on strengthening their state in the face of such degrading and insulting statements.
“We need to voice in the strongest way possible the view that a settlement with the South can only be possible with the inclusion of our state” he said, adding that it should be understood that a solution without the TRNC could result in the rights of Turkish Cypriots granted on paper being easily removed.
Denktaş also pointed out that political equality was not an aspect of power sharing directly related to population size.
“Turkish Cypriots, who were one of the two equal partners of the 1960 Republic, did not give up their political rights which have been usurped by the Greek Cypriots since 1964 as a result of the persevering negotiations carried out by the founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş. These rights have been documented and accepted as a result of the right of self-determination exercised during the Annan Plan referendum” Denktaş added.
Minister of Economy and Energy Sunat Atun travels to Islamabad
The Minister of Economy and Energy Sunat Atun travelled to İslamabad yesterday.
Atun departed from Ercan Airport to attend the 13th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit and the 22nd meeting of the ECO Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad.
Atun, who will address the meeting, is expected to return to the island on 3 March, following his meetings in Islamabad.
The TRNC was represented at the Health Tourism Forum
The TRNC was represented at the Health Tourism Forum, where the health tourism map of the world is determined. It was organized by the World Health Tourism Council under the auspices of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
The TRNC was represented by the Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu and the President of the Health Tourism Council Ahmet Savaşan. The forum was held on 25-27 February 2017 and included 500 members from 42 countries, including Brazil, Croatia, Czech, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Britain and Greece.
Jordanian Prime Minister Hani Mulqi, Princess Ghaida Talal, Princess Dina Mired, Health and Tourism Ministers, the Founder President of World Health Tourism, Emin Çakmak, and President Fawzi Al-Hammouri visited the North Cyprus stand and also met with Ataoğlu, with whom they exchanged views on the steps that can be taken in order to develop opportunities for cooperation.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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TRNC News 22.2.2017 Negotiations stalled by Greek Cypriot refusal of political equality
Akıncı: “Negotiations have stalled due to the Greek Cypriot side’s refusal to accept political equality”
President Mustafa Akıncı has stated that the reason negotiations have stalled is due to the Greek Cypriot side’s refusal to accept political equality. Akıncı stressed that the fundamental principle of a “Federation includes political equality – there is no possibility of being preoccupied with minority and majority partners in a federation”.
President Akıncı was speaking during a joint press conference at the Presidency with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who is in the TRNC on an official visit. Akıncı stressed that he is preparing his people for a solution even on the most difficult issues, and called on Anastasiades to do the same – particularly preparing the Greek Cypriot community for a rotating Presidency, shared with the Turkish Cypriots as part of the partnership state.
Akıncı addressed the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives’ decision to mark the Enosis decision in the schools, despite the delicate stage the negotiations had reached. “If you take the root cause of such conflict, ‘Enosis’, and vote to commemorate it, you must understand that it will cause great indignation among the Turkish Cypriots” Akıncı said. Adding that the UN must play a vital role in overcoming this event, Akıncı continued, “The UN should see the reality and not conceal half of the reality as the Advisor Espen Barth Eide did. We will wait to see the developments and then determine our stance”.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has met with President Mustafa Akıncı, the Prime Minister and political party representatives in order to evaluate the latest developments on the Cyprus talks. He welcomed the very fruitful discussions regarding next steps.
Stressing that President Akıncı, the TRNC negotiating team and Turkey have important roles in the development of the talks, Çavuşoğlu added these parties have always maintained their constructive attitude despite the fact that this was not always reciprocated by the Greek Cypriot side. Çavuşoğlu emphasised in particular that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey had clearly demonstrated a constructive attitude at the technical meetings in the island and during the leaders’ meetings in Geneva, but in the last few months they have increasingly been confronted with non-constructive attitudes from the Greek Cypriot side. Çavuşoğlu added that the attitudes of the Greek Cypriot side and Greece in Geneva were an indication of their not being ready for a solution in Cyprus.
“We have put forth very clearly as Turkey and the TRNC what we want and do not want. The framework of the negotiations is very clear. The 11 February 2014 Joint Statement sets very clear parameters for the negotiations. The basic principles are very clear. One of these is political equality and equality, freedom and security. Both the Greek Cypriot side and the whole world should accept that the Turkish Cypriot people are an equal partner on the island, otherwise a solution will not be possible in Cyprus” Çavuşoğlu stressed.
Akıncı receives UN Special Representative to Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar
President Mustafa Akıncı has received the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative to Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar.
The meeting was held at the Presidency and Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Özdil Nami was also present at the meeting.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, the UN Special Representative said that she had exchanged views with President Akıncı on the latest situation.
She added that the meeting was useful in terms of clarifying what was going on with the talks.
Asked whether tomorrow’s scheduled meeting between the two leaders will take place, Spehar said that a decision will emerge following her meeting today with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades.
Siber: The events on the 20th of July were a result of Enosis”
Stating that Enosis was the beginning of the conflicts, Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber has said that “the Turkish intervention on the 20th of July would never have happened if there had been no attempts to achieve Enosis.”
The Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber made the comments after receiving the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. Speaking at the reception, Siber stated that all parties in the TRNC Assembly had issued an important declaration, adding that the opposition parties, the President, the Prime Minister and the civil society had all expressed a joint view on the Enosis decision.
She also said that, although the Turkish Cypriot people want to find a solution, it is not possible to ignore that a decision which disregards a society would mean that the Turkish Cypriots will again be forced to live in ghettos.
Arguing that they expect the UN to make an attempt to reverse the decision, Siber said that political equality is a necessity for a solution, rather than a favour offered to the Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriots.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that the TRNC Assembly reacted appropriately to the decision and reminded those present that Turkey responded accordingly. Çavuşoğlu also expressed that Turkey welcomed the reaction of the Turkish Cypriot Government to the Enosis decision.
Özgürgün: “Enosis decision is a serious blow to the negotiation process”
Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün has said that while the negotiations continue for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution, recognition of such a decision by the majority of the Greek Cypriot parliament was disappointing.
The Prime Minister received Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu during his visit to the TRNC. Speaking at the reception, Prime Minister Özgürgün has said that negotiation process is in deadlock as a result of the Enosis decision.
“As Turkish Cypriots, we know that the main reason behind the pain experienced on the island, and the root cause of the many lives lost, is the Enosis decision. While the negotiations continue for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution, recognition of such a decision by the majority of the Greek Cypriot parliament was a disappointment. It is a serious blow to the negotiation process. Marking the Enosis Plebiscite at schools and memorialising the past cannot be accepted. I hope the Greek Cypriot side reverses this decision so that we can reach a solution, but if not, the Turkish Cypriot people and Motherland Turkey have already determined to take the necessary steps in this regard”, said Özgürgün.
Ertuğruloğlu: “The Turkish Cypriot people do not deserve the current uncertainties”
Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu has said the Turkish Cypriot people do not deserve the uncertainty they are currently faced with, and that this should be ended as soon as possible.
Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu spoke before his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who was in the TRNC for a working visit.
Speaking to the press, Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu said that the developments on the Cyprus issue were part of the national cause, which is determined, conducted and defended jointly by Lefkoşa and Ankara.
Ertuğruloğlu continued as follows:
“The point we have reached in the negotiations is clear … whether the negotiations will continue or not. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the TRNC, we are not a ministry that advocates the Turkish Cypriot side leaving the negotiation table, of course this would be extremely wrong. But we must not make an impression that the open ended negotiating process, which has been continuing for 50 years, can be continued for another 50 years of uncertainty.
“The dominant mentality of the Greek Cypriot side is very clear. They showed the same attitude once again with the recent Enosis decision.”
Emphasising that further steps were to be taken in this direction in the period ahead, Çavuşoğlu said “unfortunately at the point we have reached in the negotiations process for the future of Cyprus, we have started to see that the Greek Cypriot side does not share the same sincerity and constructive approach put forward by Turkey and the TRNC.”
“We wanted a lasting solution and supported the continuation of the negotiations with patience. Unfortunately, we do not see a similar approach on the other side. We gave clear messages today. If the Greek Cypriot side wants a solution then it should act sincerely and prove its desire for a solution” the Turkish Foreign Minister added.
Çavuşoğlu said that the TRNC government was aware of the expectations for the prospects of the Turkish Cypriot people, adding that it will always protect these prospects – including the issues of guarantees and security.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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