TRNC NEWS HEADLINES

TALAT “UNLESS ONE SIDE WITHDRAWS, NEGOTIATIONS WILL BEGIN IN JUNE”

TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that although the technical committees and working groups, which continue their workings for the purpose of the preparation of comprehensive negotiations, have opinion differentials, the general atmosphere was very positive, and he added “Unless one side withdraws, the negotiations will begin in June”. When the statement that ‘the date of the negotiations would be delayed’ was reminded, Talat said “Agreement is that it will start in June. According to the present developments, there is not any state that will require delay. If one side does not withdraw, it will begin in June.”

Reminding the negotiations and his determination on solution with the following words “We have never approached to such an opportunity”, Talat emphasized that the most difficult matters in the negotiations would be regulation of property and land. Pointing out that they prepared a formula without details about property and they would bring and discuss it on the negotiation table, Talat said “The map can be discussed unless there is any progress on every matter. For this reason we did not make any study for a map”.

CHRISTOFIAS PREPARES TO WITHDRAW

Politis newspaper published in the Greek Cypriot side wrote that the leader of Greek Cypriot Administration believed that the UN would give support to his efforts in not complying with the 3 months calendar which ends in June.

The newspaper under the heading of “Why does Christofias demand time?” wrote that Christofias forwarded to the international component and to Turkey from backstage and publicly that there would be no sense to start the direct negotiations with TRNC President Talat unless the technical committees and working groups provided significant consensus.

OIC SECRETARY GENERAL İHSANOĞLU ARRIVES IN TRNC

It was stated that Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu came to the TRNC last night to take the honorary doctorate title to be given by the Near East University and to make contacts.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcı and the other authorities met İhsanoğlu at the Ercan Airport .

In his statement, expressing his happiness for visiting the TRNC again, İhsanoğlu said that he followed the developments closely in Cyprus and received ‘spring weather’ favourably which was formed after the elections of the Greek Cypriot side and wished success for this issue.

Moreover, İhsanoğlu said that he appreciated the efforts of the UN for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

TOURISM INVESTMENTS CONTINUE

It was stated that the bed capacity which is 15 thousand with 120 touristic accommodations in the TRNC was hoped to reach to 28 thousand in the following a few years with new 45 facilities’ going into operation.

Moreover, it was stated that hotels and similar facilities which were active at the moment were intensified in Girne region and 27 of 45 new facilities were in Girne. Although the numbers of the facilities which are being built in İskele are 14, total bed capacity of these is double compared to Girne region.