FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI: “OUR PRIMARY AIM IS TO PURSUE POLICIES TOWARDS A PERMANENT AND COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT IN THE ISLAND WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WORK FOR THE LIFTING OF THE UNJUST ISOLATION IMPOSED UPON THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE”

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý stated that the TRNC’s primary aim was to pursue policies for a permanent and comprehensive settlement in the island while at the same time work for the lifting of the unjust isolation imposed upon the Turkish Cypriot people.

 

Speaking during the presentation night of the Federation of International Economic and Cultural Relations in Turkey Foreign Minister Avcý pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot people have been subjected to inhuman isolation for years and deprived of their basic rights and liberties.

 

Explaining that Turkey has been by the side of Turkish Cypriots for more than 40 years, Avcý said Turkey was the only country which supports the TRNC without expecting anything in return.

 

Avcý reminding that the Turkish Cypriots could not export goods produced in the TRNC, could not benefit from the free market economy and their all foreign contacts were being carried out via Turkey said in the first place the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation was inevitable. Foreign Minister Avcý added that despite all these difficulties the Turkish Cypriots’ per capita income which was 300-500 US Dollars before 1974 has been increased to 10 thousand US Dollars today with the uninterrupted support of Turkey.

 

Drawing attention to the problems faced by the TRNC in exporting its goods because of the Greek Cypriot administration’s blockings, Avcý said especially since the decision taken by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in 1994 unjust and heavy embargoes have been in effect and that the exporting have continued to survive with the market opportunities and other aids provided by Turkey.

 

Reminding that despite the Greek Cypriot administration’s political pressures exerted by Syrian authorities, scheduled ferry boat services between Gazimagusa and Latakia ports have started on 22 September 2007 Avcý said this was an important step taken towards the lifting of the isolation.

 

Continuing, Foreign Minister Avcý said:

 

“As the TRNC, our aim is to pursue policies towards reaching a permanent and comprehensive settlement in the island while at the same time work for the lifting of the unjust isolation imposed upon the Turkish Cypriot people. What is a just and permanent settlement? Recently, the negotiation process have started following the presidential elections in South Cyprus since the New Greek Cypriot leader says: “I want a solution”. We are ready for a solution in line with our foreign policy put forward jointly with our motherland Turkey which also supports this negotiation process. But what are the outlines of this solution? An equal and just solution. A partnership based on bi-zonality, political equality of the two peoples which will be established by the two equal founding states and the continuation of Turkey’ guarantee is our sine qua non.

 

Motherland Turkey has made an important progress and growth in the recent years in the fields of economy and international relations and this was also realized by the whole world. The dignity and power of the Republic of Turkey in the world has increased the dignity and power of the TRNC. Therefore, I would like to voice my gratitude on behalf of the TRNC people”.

 

 

 

THE WORKSHOP ENTITLED “EXPORT AUDITING AND CAPACITY BUILDING IN THE SMEs” ENDS

 

FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI: “WE ARE READY TO PARTICIPATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE IN THE OIC COUNTRIES”

 

DWAIK: “WE HAVE FOUND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCES”

 

The workshop entitled “Export Auditing and Capacity Building in the SMEs” organized at the Near East University by the Islamic Center for Development of Trade (ICDT) in cooperation with the TRNC Deputy Prime Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ended with a ceremony where the participators were given certificates.

 

Speaking during the ceremony Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý thanked participators and the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) for organizing such an important event in the TRNC.

 

Expressing his desire to continue to hold similar OIC events in the TRNC Foreign Minister Avcý said they were also ready to actively participate and contribute to the events to take place in the OIC countries.

 

Explaining that the workshop was organized in line with the decisions taken at the OIC meetings, Avcý referring to the international identity of the workshop thanked the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu for always supporting the Turkish Cypriots, the OIC Secretariat and the Director General of the ICDT as well as his staff.

 

Speaking on behalf of the participators Deputy Director General of the Jordan’s Chamber of Commerce Hisham Dwaik pointed out that they have found the opportunity to meet with participators coming from all over the world and share knowledge and experience with them. Dwaik stressed that the hospitality of the Turkish Cypriot people has played an important role in the success of the workshop.

 

THE COST OF ISOLATION IMPOSED ON THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS

Turkish Cypriots are continuing to suffer heavily under the burden of the unjust international isolation imposed on North Cyprus, a research study has revealed.

The academic study said that isolation and international embargoes has cost on average, every Turkish Cypriot, 112 thousand dollars over the last 30 year period, accumulating to a total loss of 25 billion dollars for the Turkish Cypriot community.

The research study carried out by Turkish Cypriot Academic Prof. Dr. Omer Gokcekus whose studies focus on international economics and development at the Seton Hall University in Canada has been complied into a book by the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce.

The book which includes chapters on the cost of the isolations, costs of transportation and freight through Turkish ports, losses in tourism revenues, the Socrates/Erasmus/Bologna Process and higher education in North Cyprus provides a graphical and statistical analysis of the situation in North Cyprus.

Commenting on the launch of the book, the President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Hasan Ince said that the study reveals the true income the Turkish Cypriot community should be earning under normal conditions, which was calculated at 25 billion dollars.  

Pointing out that this figure could be seen as the result of the ongoing non-solution on the island and the continuation of the unjust international embargoes, Ince said that the study showed the kind of positive impact a settlement in Cyprus would have on the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot Community.

“These figures are important in seeing which opportunities lay ahead for the Turkish Cypriot economy. This is why we must look to the future to see what we will gain” he added.