TRNC NEWS HEADLINES

THE ELDERS SUPPORT PEACE PROCESS IN CYPRUS

Delegation of “The Elders” consisting of the former world leaders and also known as the “Global Council of Elders” arrived in Cyprus in order to support the solution process in Cyprus and to promote the support of international community to the new process.

The delegation which is composed of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who is the president of “The Elders”, former US President Jimmy Carter and former Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Brahimi aim to lend their support and encouragement to those working towards ending the Cyprus problem.

The Elders stated that they will only be lending their support and will neither be involved in the current Cyprus negotiations process, nor make any mediation efforts.

The Elders will hold a press conference at the Ledra Palace Hotel in the buffer zone and be accepted by the President Mehmet Ali Talat today.

FINNISH PRESIDENT HALONEN: “ CYPRUS PROBLEM IS THE UN’S AFFAIR”

The President of Finland Tarja Halonen said that Cyprus problem can be solved under the auspices of the UN.

Following the meeting with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul who was in Helsinki , a joint press meeting was held. In the press meeting Halonen said: “ Finland desires that Turkey becomes a member of the EU as soon as possible by eliminating the problems in front of her.”

Halonen explained their position on the Cyprus issue as: “ Cyprus is the UN’s affair; EU can only make a contribution. It is the two sides who can solve the issue but the approaches of their neighbour countries are also important. The problem can be solved at the UN with the contributions of Turkey , Greece and the EU countries. We have to spend effort in order to solve the Cyprus issue but Cyprus is the UN’s affair.”

TALAT MET UK MINISTER OF EUROPE FLINT

President Mehmet Ali Talat accepted the UK ’s Minister of Europe Caroline Flint.

No statement was made after the meeting which took place in the TRNC Presidency.

6TH UNIT OF TEKNECIK DIESEL ELECTRIC POWER STATION ARRIVED

The 6th additional unit which shall increase the production capacity of the Teknecik Diesel Electric Power Station by 17.5 megawatt arrived in Gazimagusa Port yesterday.

The montage of the main engine of the 6th unit which came from Italy will begin in two weeks time following the arrival of its generator from Finland .

The TRNC Electricity Authority has announced that power cuts will be experienced tomorrow morning in some areas as the unit is being transported to the Northern coast.

Minister of Finance Ahmet Uzun stated that with the start of the 5th unit which was on the trial stage and with the addition of the 6th unit which arrived yesterday the electricity production capacity of the TRNC shall be increased by 105 megawatts in a period of nearly two years.

Uzun said: “After November, TRNC’s electricity production shall exceed its consumption.”