ERÇAKICA: “THE BRIDGE AT THE LOKMACI GATE WILL BE REMOVED”

Presidential Spokesman Hasan Erçakıca yesterday (28 December) issued a written statement regarding the removal of the bridge at the Lokmacı Gate. The full statement is as follows: 

“President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat has decided for the removal of the bridge which was claimed to be an obstacle standing before the opening of the Lokmacı Gate with the purpose of contributing to the decision of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides to resume the comprehensive settlement negotiations within the first quarter of 2007 and also, to the promotion of the cooperation sense of the two peoples. 

As it is known, Turkish Cypriot side attaches great importance to closeness and cooperation of the two peoples living in Cyprus and also, is of the belief that the steps to that end would facilitate reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus Issue. Taking into consideration the 15 November 2006 dated letter sent by the UN Under-Secretary-General For Political Affairs Mr. İbrahim Gambari, to the parties proposing the resumption of negotiations directed towards a comprehensive settlement in the first quarter of 2007 and the fact that the said proposal was responded positively by both sides, it becomes clear that any activity that will be held to promote the relations between the two sides would bear utmost importance. 

Turkish Cypriot side has now been stating for a long time that, the opening of the Lokmacı Gate would provide significant contribution to the said cooperation and has also stressed that the bridge, which was presented as an obstacle before the opening of the Gate, in no way poses as one. As it is known, during his visit to Cyprus, 6 July 2006 dated Security Building Measures file we have presented in writing to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Mr. İbrahim Gambari for the attention of the UN Secretary-General included the opening of the Lokmacı Gate as well. 

In order to conclude the discussions on the issue, President Mehmet Ali Talat has decided the works for the removal of the said bridge to start by tomorrow. This position of the Turkish Cypriot side has also been conveyed to the United Nations Organization by a letter today. 

Hereafter, Turkish Cypriot side expects the removal of the wall which poses as the primary obstacle before the opening of the Lokmacı Gate and its opening to both the two peoples of the island and to the visitors of Cyprus without any other obstacles being erected.”

 

FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI: “GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION IS TO BRING NEW RESTRICTIONS TO GREEN LINE REGULATION”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcı yesterday (28 December) issued a written statement regarding the Greek Cypriot administration’s plans to set up check points along the Green Line with the aim of preventing the so-called illegal trade.

Following is the full statement by Foreign Minister Turgay Avcı:

“We have learnt from the Greek Cypriot press that the Greek Cypriot administration will take measures with the aim of preventing the so-called illegal trade alleged to have been conducted from North to South Cyprus through the region of Dikelya British Bases and that it is planning to set up Greek Cypriot check points and barricades in certain regions within this framework.

Acting as if “preventing the illegal trade”, the Greek Cypriot administration with this approach puts forward another restriction to the trade between the two sides in line with the Green Line Regulation, which already has a narrow scope. The efforts of the Greek Cypriot administration to prevent the trade by creating artificial problems at crossings with completely baseless allegations are unacceptable. Confiscation of even the cigarettes in the possession of individuals for their personal use by the Greek Cypriot officials during their inhumane controls at the border gates is another indication of the negative policy of the Greek Cypriot side on trade between the two sides. 

The fundamental aim of the Greek Cypriot leadership is to hamper the initiatives, which will contribute to the Turkish Cypriot economy and ensure the continuation of the isolations imposed on our people in all fields. It is amply clear that such negative steps to be taken are contrary to the content and essence of the Direct Trade Regulation, which is expected to be approved in January 2007 without any amendments. There is no doubt that, at a time when a reconciliatory policy is needed to be pursued, this stance of the Greek Cypriot side regarding the crossings and trade, has been a blow to the efforts being spent for improving the relations between the two sides.”