UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN: "CYPRUS ISSUE SHOULD BE SETTLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"

The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated that the Cyprus issue has become a problem that not only concerning the two sides on the island, Turkey and Greece but Europe as well, thus it should be settled as soon as possible.

Annan speaking during a farewell news conference at the UN, pointed out that the Cyprus issue was still on the UN’s agenda and added that his special representative for Cyprus Michael Moller was still working hard to help build mutual confidence between the two sides on the island.

The UN Secretary General stated that when they believe it is the right time, his successor Ban Ki-Moon would appoint a new full time mediator to Cyprus.

He also expressed the belief that Ban Ki-Moon would follow the same path and work towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

21-25 DECEMBER STRUGGLE AND MARTYRS’ WEEK STARTS TODAY

The 21-25 December, the Struggle and Martyrs’ Week, marking the special remembrance of the Turkish Cypriots who became martyrs between 1963 and 1974 has started today (21 December).

A series of events will take place throughout the Republic until the 25th of December, to commemorate the martyrs.

Martyrs’ Week ceremonies will start this morning with a speech by the Staff Colonel Mehmet Dagman from the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces to be broadcast live on Bayrak Radio.

Following a special ceremony, which will take place in front of the Martyrs’ Monument in Lefkosa, another ceremony would take place at the Ataturk Cultural Center.

An opening ceremony of a bust of Ataturk at the Society of Martyrs’ Families and Disabled War Veterans’ building will also be held. The Bust will be opened by the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu.