AVCI STARTS CONTACTS IN AUSTRALIA

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avci who went to Australia to attend the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the first migration of Turkish Cypriots to Australia and to have contacts with Turkish Cypriots living there started his contacts.

Speaking during his contacts Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avci said that they aimed to strengthen existing relations with Turkish Cypriots living in Australia. Avcý said : “Just like TRNC needs support from Turkish Cypriots living abroad, people living in foreign countries also need support from the TRNC. This is the reason that I am here. We want Turkish Cypriots living abroad to feel the support of TRNC state, the government and all its institutions with them.”

Speaking in Melbourne at a general assembly where Turkish Cypriots living in Australia, the Mayor of Melbourne and some local parliamentarians were present, Avcý invited the participants to the TRNC and thanked them for coming. Minister of Foreign Affairs Avcý stressed that the Turkish side has done its best to find a settlement to the Cyprus issue, however could not see necessary support from the world. Avcý asked the Australian government and the world to not to yield to Greek Cypriots’ aspirations any more. Giving brief information on the Cyprus issue Avci said: ”All we want from the world is equality, justice and human rights nothing more. We want our children to engage in sportive activities and participate to events to promote their culture on equal grounds.”

He said that Australia, after England, had the second largest population of Turkish Cypriots living abroad and that they will be using their support effectively in the struggle to end the unjust international isolation being imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý said he would organize summer camps and mutual activities for children and young people and invite them to TRNC.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avci also organized a press conference at Turkish Cypriot organization in Melbourne and expressed his views on the Cyprus issue and the cooperation to be made with Turkish Cypriots living in Australia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý said there were 60 thousand Turkish Cypriots living in Australia with whom they have a joint aim which was to make the Turkish Cypriots’ voice heard in the world. “if we cooperate and work together with Turkish Cypriots living in Australia and London our power would increase. For establishing a healthy relation with people living abroad the TRNC should also thrust out a hand to them. My visit to Australia is the start of this communication network” he said.

In his press conference Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý also gave information on relations with the OIC, new law on military service and the desk organized within the TRNC Foreign Ministry on Turkish Cypriots living abroad.

During his stay in Australia, Avcý will also meet with Australian officials and businessmen to discuss investment prospects in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

 

PRIME MINISTER SOYER EVALUATES ELECTION RESULTS IN THE SOUTH

Prime Minister Soyer evaluated the results of the presidential elections in South Cyprus which showed that Ioannis Kasoulidis received 33.51% with 150,996 votes, Dimitris Christofias received 33.29% with 150,016 votes and Papadopoulos received 31.79% with 143,249 votes.

Prime Minister Soyer stating that AKEL candidate Dimitris Hristofyas’ and DISI candidate Yuannis Kasulides’ votes together as 65% showed that there was a hope for the solution of the Cyprus issue pointed out that DÝSÝ supporters said “yes” in April 2004 referenda whereas AKEL supporters said “no”.

Prime Minister said that if a process was going to start after March, the Turkish side should positively evaluate it. “We should evaluate this hope and should work towards a solution” he said.

Prime Minister added that he fully respects to the will of the Greek Cypriot people and believed this will had given a strong message which seemed that 65% majority has left Papdopolous’ policy of neutralizing the UN process and would start new processes for the settlement of the Cyprus issue.

He said: “ whoever becomes president in South Cyprus we should find a permanent solution to the Cyprus issue and solve not only problems between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots but problems between Turkey and Greece and problems in Turkey’s EU membership process.

Meanwhile, the latest count shows that participation in the elections was around 90% in South Cyprus. With no outright winner anticipated, a run-off vote will be held next Sunday on the 24th of February.