AVCI RECEIVES NEW AZERBAIJAN PARTY GENERAL SECRETARY  ALI AHMEDOV

The New Azerbaijan Party General Secretary Ali Ahmedov who is in the TRNC upon an invitation from  Deputy Prime Minister  and  Foreign Minister Turgay Avc, yesterday was received by Avcý.

Speaking during the visit, Mr Ahmedov  stressing  the importance of Turkish Cypriots and the TRNC for Azerbaijani people said Azerbaijan after proclaiming  independence    placed  great importance to conduct relations with the Turkish world and the TRNC.   

Pointing out that the mutual visits between the two countries  would contribute to the further development  of the existing relations and friendship  between the two people and the state, Ahmedov said they wished that the problems of Turkish Cypriots were solved according to their desire.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Turgay Avcý expressing his pleasure form Ahmedov’s visit stated that  the high ranking Azerbaijani authorities, who paid visits to the TRNC from time  to time,  have always supported the rightful cause of the Turkish Cypriot People, and contributed to the further development of the existing relations  between the two countries on politics, trade, education, culture and sport.

Foreign Minister Turgay Avcý,  pointing  out that there were strong  historic brotherhood relations between   Azerbaijan  and the TRNC  said the TRNC placed a great importance to further development common rich culture, friendship and cooperation.

Foreign Minister Avcý also underlining that  besides Motherland Turkey  the second country that was giving full support to the TRNC  was Azerbaijan expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani state and the people on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people.

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN HASAN ERCAKICA

The TRNC Presidential Spokesman Hasan Ercakica  speaking in his weekly press briefing yesterday (8 April 2008) said:

“Despite some undesired events on the opening day, the reciprocal opening of the Lokmaci gate separating the Turkish Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot side of Nicosia after 44 years, should be considered as a development which raises hopes of finding a solution, expands the interaction between the two peoples and, which will facilitate reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem.

However, it is necessary to remind some of the lessons which surfaced as a result of this development.

Opening of the Lokmaci gate has been finalized as a result of the cooperation of the TRNC Security Forces Headquarters. Although this fact is known to everyone, the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side will have a complicating effect over the issues when such as this one is brought on the agenda and even the process of settling the Cyprus problem.

The efforts of the Greek Cypriot side are directed at issuing wrong messages to the international arena as well as creating the impression that there is a lack of harmony between the Turkish Cypriot people and the Turkish Armed Forces. These do not reflect the truth at all. Provided that such an impression is created, maintaining the settlement efforts depending on these false impressions would pose as the primary reason of unsettlement of the problem.

We would like to note once again that a settlement that will be reached for the Cyprus problem would not be against the interests of Turkey. The Turkish Cypriot side, as one of the two main parties of the problem, would not allow such a thing. Moreover, by the support it has provided with its government, Turkish Armed Forces and its other elements, Turkey has proven many times that the efforts of settlement are not against its interests.

Given that the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side to create such false impressions are maintained, this will prove that the real expectation of the Greek Cypriot side from the new process which started by the 21 March agreement is not reaching a comprehensive settlement. It will serve nothing but the idea that they are after “improving their not so good image” which was established as a result of their “no” vote to the UN Comprehensive Settlement Plan.

The opening of the Lokmaci gate was the result of eliminating the discussions regarding the area from the agenda. If the discussions concerning the border or any other issue were brought on the agenda, it is quite evident that we would not be able to open it successfully. In this context, it can easily be said that Confidence Building Measures should be implemented urgently and without allowing discussions to be created concerning the positions of the parties relating to a comprehensive settlement.