TRNC NEWS HEADLINES

LEADERS DISCUSS THEIR STANCES

TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat and leader of Greek Cypriot Administration Dimitris Hristofias discussed “their stances which determine their criteria on property” negotiated yesterday within the framework of negotiations continued for the purpose of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The negotiation, hosted by Special Adviser to Cyprus of UN Secretary General Alexander Downer, was taken place in the building allocated for the negotiations in the buffer-zone under control of UN.

Following the meeting, Downer stated that the property issue is a difficult subject that should not be expected to be solved in a few months. When the news that “a group consisted of UN experts would work in order to contribute to the negotiations” was reminded, Downer stated that he was ready to help the UN group working related with this issue in Cyprus in order to make them to understand the subject well, however in case they do not understand the subject comprehensively, what they would do will be meaningless. Downer added that some academic experts working under UN budget will also give support on constitutional subjects to them.



Downer emphasized that their roles are not to write a solution for Cyprus , but to help the Cypriots to come to an agreement as far as possible.



Replying the question on the atmosphere of the meeting, Downer stated that Talat and Hristofias have good personal relations, they know each other well and this is reflected to the atmosphere of meeting as natural. Downer expressed that the leaders will meet again on 19 February, Thursday in order to carry on discussing the property subject.



On the other hand, TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side is of the opinion of giving priority to the former owner of the house on the property issue. Replying the questions of the journalists following the meeting with leader of Greek Cypriot Administration Dimitris Hristofias, Talat stated that in the meeting they discussed the criteria introduced by two sides on the solution by means of compensation, exchange and restitution.



Stating that in the meeting both sides introduced their own opinions towards these criteria and also made a brief evaluation concerning the meeting made last week, Talat expressed that the Greek Cypriot side had a document about the previous evaluation of the Turkish Cypriot side however they did not discuss it, they would introduce their attitudes on this subject after they discuss the paper.



Talat pointed out that both sides would introduce their opinions towards these criteria in the meeting on next Thursday and they would decide what they will do hereafter.





CHRISTOFIAS DISMISSED A GREEK CYPRIOT MEMBER OF WORKING GROUPS BECAUSE HE RECEIVED COMPENSATION FROM THE TRNC COMMISSION



Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias dismissed the Greek Cypriot member of Property Group immediately, after discovering that he had appealed to the TRNC Property Commission and received compensation for a remedy against his land in Girne.



According to the government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou, when Christofias was informed about the issue, he took a decision that he would no longer be part of the property working group or any other.



MAHI, a Greek Cypriot daily, reported that the official had sought $ 800.000 compensation from the commission for land in a village in Girne and the applicant eventually received $250.000 for the land in December 12, 2007.





REHN ARRIVES IN CYPRUS



The EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn arrived in Cyprus for contacts with Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot officials yesterday. As a first contact, he came together with the UN Special Envoy Alexander Downer and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus , Taye-Brook Zerihoun at dinner last night.


After meeting with the Leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Dimitris Christofias, Rehn will be received by President Mehmet Ali Talat at 10.45.


Rehn will visit Lokmaci gate and hold a press conference at noon at the Ledra Palace at 12.05



AVCI IS IN ANKARA

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avci went to Ankara for some official contacts yesterday. Avci met with the President of the Housing Development Administration of Turkey about overcoming the restrictions in the construction sector and cheap housing. Avci will also meet with the Minister of Government Cemil Cicek to negotiate about the Turkish Cypriot economy and financial aids to the TRNC.

DIRECTOR OF THE TOURISM MINISTRY UGURLU: FERRY SERVICES TO ISRAEL STARTING IN APRIL

Ferry services between Gazimagosa and Haifa are starting in April. The Director of Economy and Tourism Ministry Savas Ugurlu stated that the ferry which will make the Haifa route from Gazimagosa Port will be luxurious one with entertainment complexes, duty free shops and a casino. This is the first time that TRNC participated in the Israel International Mediterranean Tourism Fair. Director Ugurlu who participated in the fair stated that they have met with tour operators which are willing to market TRNC. He added that ferry services will start in April.