AVCI CONTINUES CONTACTS IN AUSTRALIA

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Turgay Avcı  who is continuing contacts in Australia  yesterday met Australia’s Special Representative for Cyprus Jim Short and  evaluated the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and the world.

Explaining the Turkish side’s constructive attitudes with regard to the Cyprus issue, Foreign Minister Avcı stressed that the Turkish side was ready  to start negotiations   aimed at fining  comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue. Adding that there  was an expectation for the start of a new  initiative for negotiations following the elections in South Cyprus  Avcı said the Turkish side’s parameters were well defined.

“The Turkish side is ready for negotiations on the basis of  its parameters  and will do its best to  find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue. Now there will be  anew leader in South Cyprus  and a new hope  and with his policies  he is going to show whether he is sincere for settlement or not.  2008 might be an important turning point.  We will do our best for a settlement but we are  not going to wait for another 40 years for a solution” he said.  

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriots have proven their determination  for a settlement in April 2004 Referenda by saying “Yes” to the Annan Plan  Avcı stressed that the EU should now re-evaluate its policy on Cyprus.

Evaluating the results of the Presidential Elections in South Cyprus  Minister of Foreign Affairs Avcı said  whoever was elected as the president in south Cyprus the important thing was   his policy and the approach he would follow  with regard to the Cyprus issue.

Following his meeting,  Avcı visited  Victoria Parliament  and met Victoria Province Planning Minister  Justin Madden. During his  meeting  with Madden Foreign Minister Avcı gave information on the Cyprus issue and on Turkish Cypriots living in Australia.

Stressing the Turkish Cypriots desire for peace,  Avcı  said the unjust isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots should be lifted.

For his part Madden pointed out that  the Turkish Cypriots living in Australia were contributing to the country with their culture and  work force  and added that, he was going to support the Turkish Cypriots rightful  requests.

Within the framework of his contacts Foreign Minister Avcı also  met Turkish origin Parliamentarian Hamdi Eren,  Senate member  Kubilay  Somyürek,   Brimbank  municipality assembly members Nazlı  Süleyman, Kan Çapar,  Hüme  Municipality  Assembly member  Yetiş Atmaca, Meribyrong Municipality  Assembly member  Selçuk Şanlı  and the Advisor of Justin Madden Hakkı Süleyman. During his meeting Foreign Minister Avcı  explained the developments in the Cyprus issue  and gave information  on TRNC’s economic  sector.

 

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN ERCAKICA EVALUATED ELECTION RESULTS IN SOUTH CYPRUS AND KOSOVO’S INDEPENDENCE

The Presidential Spokesperson Hasan Ercakica has reiterated the Turkish Cypriot Side’s commitment to work towards the establishment of a new partnership state based on the political equality of the two peoples and the equal status of two constituent states.

The Presidential spokesman evaluated the results of the first round of President Elections on the Greek Cypriot Side as well as Kosovo’s declaration of independence during his weekly press briefing yesterday.

The full text of the statement is as folllows:

Last weekend was quite eventful in terms of political developments. While the televisions have brought the independence celebrations in Kosovo in our homes, the Greek Cypriot people have voted to elect their new leader.

The first round of the elections in South Cyprus have resulted in elimination of Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos who, instead of spending efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem, has been working to “erase the traces of the ‘No’ vote” and taking pride in doing so. Considering the first round results of the elections in South Cyprus, it can be said that the Greek Cypriot people are concerned regarding the consequences of the ‘No’ vote and they would like to appoint a leader who is in more harmony with the world.

Our desire is to see that this position of the Greek Cypriots will evolve in a way that will result in a solution to the Cyprus problem.

For the period ahead of us, the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to work for a new partnership state based on the political equality of the two peoples and the equal status of the two constituent states, as they have done so during the years Mr. Papadopoulos was in the office. We are determined to make the best use of all the opportunities that will arise to that end.

            The development process of the new state of Kosovo in the Balkans is also full of lessons to be learned for us. Pondering on those lessons, it can clearly be seen that, before everything else, it is the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot peoples who are in need of an early and mutually acceptable settlement. The most important point of all these developments is the fact that no people can be compelled to live under the control of any other people. Therefore, we are working and will continue to work to find a solution for the Cyprus problem that is acceptable to both peoples.