TRNC NEWS HEADLINES

TALAT AND CHRISTOFIAS MET FRIDAY

President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias will meet today to evaluate the activities performed by the work groups and technical committees, which were established to facilitate the comprehensive negotiations expected to take place in June.

The Special Representative on behalf of the UN General Secretary Zerihoun, UN and EU Affairs Representative for the Turkish Cypriot Presidency Özdil Nami and Commissioner for the Greek Cypriot Presidency Yorgo Yakovu will also participate to the meeting.

ERÇAKICA: “OUR EFFORTS AIM TO ESTABLISH A NEW STATE OF PARTNERSHIP ”

Turkish Cypriot Presidential Spokesperson Hasan Erçakıca reiterated that in contrast to the claims of the Greek Cypriot Administration, the aim of the Turkish side is to endeavour in acquiring an establishing partnership state comprising of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federated solution.

With reference to the criticisms of the activities of the work groups and technical committees, Erçakıca stated, “It is illogical for work groups to perform negotiations… Negotiations require the employment of a process of transfer. And with accordance to authority, this process can only be activated by the two leaders.”

Erçakıca added, “With reference to international representation, the new state will be singular in identity. The eventuating solution will not result in two separate states. A state of partnership comprising of two establishing legitimate states of joint international identity will be constructed. This solution will consist of two communities within two zones.”

Hasan Erçakıca expressed that the reason behind this continual reminder by the Turkish Cypriot leadership is because of Greek Cypriot attempts to avoid the International Agreement of the 77-79 Summit and the following Agreements preceding 79.

THE CYPRUS PROBLEM AND OTHER ECONOMIC ISSUES DEBATED IN ANKARA

Accompanied with three Turkish Cypriot (TC) Ministers, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer discussed the Cyprus Problem, TC economic issues and the current drought with Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Çiçek.

Prime Minister Soyer reiterated that he had confirmed the joint determination between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkey in endeavouring for a solution to the Cyprus Problem.

Soyer additionally stated that he had received confirmation of Turkish aid in overcoming prevailing droughts within the TRNC.

SOYER: THE CONTINUATION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM BRINGS SEROUS PROBLEMS TO EVERYONE”

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer expressed that the continuation of the Cyprus Problem not only affects the two peoples of Cyprus , but also induces dilemmas upon Greece , Turkey and to the Middle East , and added that the problem must immediately be resolved.

Expressing that the international community has continuously pressured Christofias to continue the process because of his preventive attempts of delay, Soyer added, “In the event that Christofias obstructs the negotiations process, if he does not effectively clarify the new developments and if he does not comply with this historic development, the Greek Cypriot people will eventually bear resemblance to Papadopoulos.”

Soyer emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot people desire to administer themselves within their own region; and expressing that he continuously and clearly made this statement; the problem should be resolved containing a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution of a joint state of partnership constructed by two establishing states.

PREVIOUS AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER DOWNER TO BE APPOINTED AS SPECIAL ADVISOR TO CYPRUS

Previous Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer will be appointed as UN General Secretary’s Special Advisor to Cyprus .

According to information contained by the Turkish Cypriot News Office TAK, the special advisor to adjudicate comprehensive negotiations and to receive views from the sides from Cyprus on behalf of the UN General Secretary will officially be appointed within the following days.

Continuing the post of Foreign Affairs Minister for long years within his own nation from 1996 to 2007, in 2007 as Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer had met with the President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Erdil Nami.

“ROUND TABLE OF FIVE” POSTPONED

It was announced that the representation from the organisations from the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce (CTCC) and the Cyprus Turkish Chamber for Industry (CTCI) from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry from southern Cyprus, the Turkish Associations’ of Stock Exchange Union (TOBB), the Greek Federation for Commerce and Industry Association expected to meet today in Nicosia to formulate a “roundtable of five”, has been postponed to a further date.

In the announcement produced by the CTCC, the meeting had been delayed due to the announcement that the Greek President for Commerce and Industry President Georgios Kassimatis will not be attending to the meeting.

Istat: Pil primi 3 mesi +0,4%

Stai a vedere che dopo aver scoperto, a posteriori naturalmente, che l'Italia non è assediata dagli immigrati anche la nostra economia è in condizioni meno peggiori di quanto non ce la abbiano venduta...

3a Commissione

Un bel parcheggio

Who's That Boy?

Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Hasan Ercakica

We have been following closely the statements of the Greek Cypriot leaders and the publications of the Greek Cypriot press regarding the works of the Working Groups and the Technical Committees launched in accordance with the agreement reached by President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias on 21 March 2008.

The Greek Cypriot leaders have personally stated that the Working Groups and the Technical Committees will not engage in any kind of negotiation but will only exchange ideas. However, they have recently been stating that since there have been no progress in the groups and committees and they are not content with the recent developments, they might demand the postponement of the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations during the meeting that will be held between President Mr. Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Christofias on Friday.

First of all, it should be stated that the Turkish Cypriot side is dedicated to all its commitments and the objective of a settlement. It is also determined to maintain the process which started on 21 March 2008 until a settlement is reached. This decisiveness also includes contribution and assistance to overcome the difficulties the Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Demetris Christofias is faced with.

We have stated many times before that the Turkish Cypriot side does not require a preparatory period for the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations. As the Turkish Cypriot side have committed before, it is ready for the commencement of the comprehensive settlement negotiations on 21 June 2008. However, it should not be forgotten that we have agreed to a brief preparatory period as a result of persistent demands of the Greek Cypriot side which should be deemed as the reflection of our flexibility and efforts to provide necessary assistance.

The mechanism required to exchange the difficulties the parties are faced with is already established in the 21 March agreement. It was envisaged that during this process Mr. Özdil Nami and Mr. Georges Iacovou should continuously monitor the works of the groups and committees and the two leaders should meet, if required.

Therefore, when Mr. Christofias have demanded a meeting with President Talat on 23 May 2008, it has immediately been accepted without even requiring a reason to be stated.

Instead of choosing to blame the Turkish Cypriot side to overcome the difficulties he is faced with, Mr. Christofias should have preferred to share these difficulties with President Talat and search for a solution in a more sincere manner.

However, by exploiting the Greek Cypriot media organs, the Greek Cypriot leadership attempts to humiliate the capacity and skills of our colleagues who work in the working groups and the technical committees.

The allegations concerning the actions of the Turkish Cypriot committees are nothing but lies. Our representatives who participate in the negotiation process have been fulfilling their duties with utmost sacrifice and remarkable performance.

While the Turkish Cypriot delegations have been participating in the works of the Working Groups and the Technical Committees with full capacity, they are faced with requests of the Greek Cypriot side to postpone or to cancel the meetings.

On the one hand, there is the request of postponing or even cancelling the meetings and on the other the complaints regarding the progress of the works…

This is a conflict that needs clarification of the Greek Cypriot side. (rg)

Cloudy Days