CYPRUS RAPPORTEUR HÖRSTER BEGINS CONTACTS IN CYPRUS

ECPA CYPRUS RAPPORTEUR HÖRSTER BEGINS CONTACTS IN CYPRUS

With the intent of making contacts, the Political Affairs Committee Cyprus Rapporteur for the European Commission Parliamentary Assembly (ECPA) Joachim Hörster yesterday arrived to Cyprus and undergone several contacts within the TRNC. After the completion of his contacts within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and within Southern Cyprus, Hörster will prepare a Cyprus Report which is expected to be issued to the ECPA in October. Within the framework of his contacts, Hörster has met with Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat, Republic Assembly President Ms. Fatma Ekenoğlu, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Deputy Prime Minister / Minister for Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcı and President of the National Unity Party Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu.

EKENOĞLU: “THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL SHOULD INFLUENCE THE LIFTING OF EMBARGOS

In her acceptance of the Political Affairs Committee Cyprus Rapporteur for the European Council Parliamentary Assembly Joachim Hörster, Turkish Cypriot Parliamentary President Fatma Ekenoğlu expressed her gratitude of Hörster’s arrival to Cyprus and requsted the European Council to influence the European Union in lifting the currently adopted embargos. Ekenoğlu expressed that her nation’s people identify themselves as Europeans and that the laws they pass in parliament are within harmony to EU laws. Reiterating that the leaders are continuing the negotiations process which aim to bring a settlement, Ekenoğlu stated, “There are however issues which distress us.” Ekenoğlu then expressed of how it was disheartening that the UN Peace Forces report mentioned, “The abolishment of the sense of isolations”, and added that the isolations are still adopted upon all areas against the Turkish Cypriots. Stating that the European Council has also made this determination, Ekenoğlu informed that statutes are being prepared with reference to the issue.

EU ADJUSTS GREEN LINE REGULATIONS TO INCREASE TRADE

The EU has made adjustments to the Green Line Statute which regulates the crossing of commodities, services and people in Cyprus. In the statement produced from General Procedures and Foreign Affairs Council where the EU foreign Affairs Minister’s gather, the motive behind the adjustment of the Green Line Statute was, “According to the experiences attained to this day, alterations were made to strengthen the integration of commerce and the economy. With the new regulations, customs taxes of agricultural commodities crossing from the TRNC to the south of Cyprus have been lifted while shopping purchase restrictions have been improved by increasing from 135 euros to 260 euros. Another adjustment aiming to increase transparency permits the redefinition of products within extended 6 month duration.

AVCI WILL ATTEND ICO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTERS SUMMIT IN UGANDA

Deputy Prime Minister / Minister for Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcı will depart to Uganda to attend the Foreign Affairs Minister’s Summit arranged by the Islamic Conference Organisation (ICO). According to the statement produced by the Press Office for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Avcı, accompanied with his delegation, departed from the island to the Ugandan capital Kampala to attend the meeting which will take place from the 18^th to the 20^th of June.