TRNC NEWS HEADLINES

NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE

President Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Christofias will sit at the negotiation table today to continue their talks on the property issue. Talat and Christofias will exchange views on the basic principles that should guide the discussions on the property issue.

The property issue is one of the thorniest issues that the President’s will face during the negotiations process. The Property issue is the second topic of the talks that have been continuing between the two leaders since last September with the aim of bringing about a solution to the Cyprus problem.

ERCAKICA: “A DOCUMENT OF AGREEMENT CAN BE FINALISED IN AUTUMN”

Spokesperson of Presidency Hasan Ercakıca stated that within the process of continuing negotiations, a document of agreement can be finalised in autumn. Hasan Ercakıca pointed out that the negotiations were functional and in this way it could be said that the work was going on well.

Stating the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side concerning the possible calendar to be followed during the negotiations, Ercakıca explained that three rounds of negotiations were envisaged.

According to the statement of Ercakıca, the leaders will review all the subjects in the first round which is envisaged to end in April. Comprehensive documents will be prepared on the compromised and uncompromised subjects after the subjects are reviewed.

In the second round that will continue till July, the leaders will enter into a serious give and take process. At the end of this period in which the political struggle is expected to be harsh the main principles of the agreement are expected to be determined.

In the third round, the subjects which are not compromised will be discussed and thus a comprehensive agreement can be reached in autumn.

Underlining that these were their targets and they did not agree on such a calendar with the Greek side during this period, Ercakıca stated that the increasing interest of the international community towards the process always gives hope to them. Ercakıca also stated that the Turkish Cypriot side supports the UN’s increased participation in the process.

FLINT: “WE SUPPORT UN EFFORTS BUT DON’T WANT TO INTERFERE”

British Minister for European Affairs Caroline Flint, who has held official contacts on both sides of the island, said that while the UK has continued to support UN’s solution efforts based on the principles of bi-communal, bi-zonal and political equality of the two sides, Britain has no intention to interfere in the negotiation process.

Flint emphasized: “Solution needs flexibility, mutual understanding and political courage. I see that both leaders have got courage and skills to reach a solution. This is the best opportunity up to now and they don’t want to miss it.”

On the other hand, Flint gave a check amount 50 thousand Euros in order to demonstrate the support of UK to mine-clearance operations.

FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI: ‘WE CONDEMN THE RACIST ATTACKS EVEN TO THE GRAVE OF A 3 YEARS OLD BABY’

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avci, stated that the attacks to the Turkish Cypriot religious and cultural heritage in the Greek Side have been observed to increase. Avci especially condemned the attacks even to the grave of a 3 years old Turkish Cypriot baby in Asagibinatli village.

Avci underlined that the racist attacks were increasing in the Greek side to Turkish Cypriot religious and cultural heritage in current days and added that in the attacks to Asagibinatli Turkish Cypriot graveyard and gravestones were ruined.

Avci pointed out that the Greek Orthodox Church is poisoning the Greek Cypriot Youngsters with the ideology of racism and this is promoting the lack of confidence between the two peoples in the island and added that rather than teaching young Greek Cypriots peace and sharing, the education system is teaching them to deny the existence of Turkish Cypriot and Islamic culture in the Island.