News from the TRNC

Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Hasan Ercakica

The negotiations aimed at finding a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem are maintained as well as the works regarding the opening of Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) checkpoint.

As stated by President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday, the more details are discussed, the more time is needed. Therefore, it has been decided that the details will be discussed by the representatives of the two leaders. We are expecting good news on the matter.

The two leaders will have their next meeting on 26 June 2009, Friday. We hope an agreement will be reached on all the details by that date.

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Meanwhile, President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat will address to the National Assembly on 23 June 2009, Tuesday to inform the Members of the Parliament with regard to the current stage of the negotiations concerning the Cyprus problem. President Mr. Talat will also respond to any questions of the MPs and listen to their views on the matter.

Regarding this effort, following items should particularly be underlined:

- Although the MPs will be informed in the said meeting, these meetings are not the only means for the MPs to be informed. The copies of the documents, attached with the annexes, of the meetings held between President Mr. Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Christofias are sent to the National Assembly regularly and are open to the inquiry of the MPs. Those MPs who wish to follow the negotiation process has to consider these documents first.

- As it is known, in terms of providing more detailed information to the political parties there are facilities in the Presidency premises as well. Besides the documents of the meetings held within the framework of the negotiations, the documents of the work the representatives of the two leaders have been carrying out are kept in a separate room in the Presidency premises and are open to inquiry as well.

- Informing the General Assembly is a method President Mr. Talat usually employs and he informed the General Assembly before. This meeting has been scheduled upon President Mr. Talat’s wish in order to provide more detailed information to the new Assembly formed after the general elections. Apart from providing information, the said meeting bears the purpose of informing the MPs of the views and expectancies of President Mr. Talat as well as creating the best chance to listen to the views and ideas of the MPs.