SOYER: “I INVITE MRS. MARKOULLI TO BE PLEASED WITH TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE’S HARMONIZATION PROCESS”

 

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer stated that the Turkish Cypriot’s EU harmonization process under 12 chapters has been embodied within the framework of the Financial Aid Regulation and with the aim of preparing the Turkish Cypriots for a solution. Soyer said Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Markoulli, by objecting to this harmonization process, in fact objected to a solution.

Prime Minister Soyer also referring to Markoulli’s objection to the declaration that the ports in Famagusta, Kyrenia and Gemikonađý were not closed according to the international law, said: “What’s legitimate is the fact that the ports in North Cyprus, which are very vital for the Turkish Cypriot people’s integration with the world, are not closed according to the international law has been finally declared to the world after 30-40 years. Thus, I invite Mrs. Markoulli to be pleased with the Turkish Cypriot people’s harmonization process.”

Soyer pointed out that Markoulli’s “hot and bothered” statements on her way to Brussels to the effect that she would stop the harmonization process was transcribing the real intentions of the Greek Cypriot leadership.

 

FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI TO GO TO LONDON

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý will go to London today (30 January) in order to deliver a speech at the British Parliament. Within the framework of his contacts, Foreign Minister Avcý will come together with various associations and societies and give interviews to international media organizations. 

Foreign Minister Avcý stated that he wanted to listen to the problems of Turkish Cypriots living abroad and discuss with them the Cyprus issue and cooperation opportunities within the framework of the Turkish Cypriots’ openings to foreign countries. 

Avcý pointing out that within this context he would meet with associations and chambers where Turkish Cypriots are working effectively, said the UK Turkish Community Football Federation and Education Consortium were amongst the associations that he would meet. 

Foreign Minister Avcý noted that during his visit in London, he would also give information about the latest law on national service for the TRNC citizens living abroad, which was prepared by the Security Forces Commandership and submitted to the TRNC Council of Ministers. 

Minister Avcý will attend to a meeting on Cyprus at the British Parliament. The meeting on Cyprus, which will be hosted by Lord Maginnis at the House of Lords, will start tonight. 

The meeting, which will take place in “The Moses Room” at the House of Lords, will be attended by Ministers and Parliamentarians from the TRNC, Turkey and the UK.

 

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN MR.HASAN ERCAKICA 

As the first Greek Prime Minister to visit Turkey after 49 years, the visit paid by the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Kostas Karamanlis to Turkey last week have been beneficial in many aspects, particularly in terms of developing the relations between Greece and Turkey and within this context, the efforts aimed at the settlement of the Cyprus  problem. 

            It is our greatest desire for Cyprus to benefit from the constructive atmosphere of cooperation prompted by this visit. 

            Undoubtedly, the Cyprus problem can not be undertaken only as a Turkish-Greek problem. However, it is a historical fact that the Cyprus problem has been affected by the Turkish – Greek relations as much as it affected these relations itself. Therefore, our expectation is to see that the Cyprus problem does not hinder the development of Turkish-Greek relations and they develop in a path that will have positive impact over the efforts to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. Considering Mr. Karamanlis’ visit from this point of view will lead to a better understanding of the importance of this visit in terms of Cyprus. 

            While the Cyprus problem is being affected positively by the developing Turkish-Greek relations, what we have to do is to aim at the steps we will take in Cyprus to contribute to the development of Turkish-Greek relations. It cannot be said that there was such a purpose in mind neither before nor during Mr. Karamanlis’ visit to Turkey. On the contrary, the Greek Cypriot leadership has almost dictated what Mr. Karamanlis will say in Turkey regarding the Cyprus problem and tried to prevent the emergence of a creative result from the meeting of the two prime ministers.

            This negative approach has also been reflected in the statements made by Mr. Karamanlis in Turkey. Mr. Karamanlis has not only paid special attention not to include any encouraging expressions regarding the international initiative expected after the elections in South Cyprus, but claiming that “The settlement of the Cyprus problem is an important criteria for the EU process of Turkey”, he also defined the settlement of the Cyprus problem as an issue dependent on the relations between Turkey – the EU, just like the Greek Cypriot side.

            The Turkish Cypriot side is of the belief that once the Cyprus problem is settled, there will be a vast and influential field of cooperation in our region and such an environment will have a great and positive impact over the relations between Turkey and Greece and also those between Turkey and the EU. In this context, the settlement of the Cyprus problem is a must for the Turkish and Greek Cypriots as well as all the peoples of the region. 

            Bearing this belief in mind, the Turkish Cypriot side will provide any kind of contribution that will be helpful for the international initiative that is expected after the elections in South Cyprus to be successful; for the said initiative to conduce the resumption of comprehensive settlement negotiations; and for the negotiation process to be concluded with the settlement of the Cyprus problem. 

 

FORMER GERMAN CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER WILL COME TO THE TRNC

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will arrive in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Friday (1 February) with a private plane as guest of Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

Schroeder will be accompanied by the Advisor of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Cuneyt Zapsu during his visit to the TRNC.

Shortly after his arrival, Gerhard Schroeder will come together with Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, will be received by President Mehmet Ali Talat and meet with the representatives of Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce on the same day.

On the second day of his visit, Schroeder and Prime Minister Soyer will hold a joint press conference at Colony Hotel in Girne. Schroeder will leave the Republic on the same day.

Schroeder had announced that he would visit the TRNC during Prime Minister Soyer’s visit to Berlin.

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE PARLIAMENTARY UNION OF THE OIC APPROVED A DRAFT PROPOSAL ON ISOLATION

The Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of the Islamic Conference has approved a draft proposal which envisages greater cooperation between Islamic countries and the Turkish Cypriot people in the fields of politics, economy, culture and sports with the aim of easing the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

The draft proposal, which was approved yesterday (29 January) by the Committee, will be forwarded to the 5^th Conference of the OIC Parliamentary Union for approval which is taking place in the Egyptian capital Cairo tomorrow.

The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu and her delegation are representing the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus at the conference.

The draft proposal approved by the Executive Committee of the OIC’s Parliamentary Union is seen as an important step in efforts aimed at lifting the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The draft proposal, presented earlier by the TRNC and Turkey underlines the need to exert efforts in order to achieve equal representation for the Turkish Cypriot people at international organizations, until a settlement is found to the Cyprus problem.

The draft proposal also emphasized that the Cyprus problem should be solved on a bi-zonal, bi-communal order based on the political equality of the two sides and under the UN supervision.

During the Executive Committee’s session participants were called on to take initiatives aimed at promoting the Turkish Cypriot people’s equal representation at international institutions.

Previous proposals approved during the 4^th Conference of the OIC Parliamentary Union were also once again confirmed.

These included the representation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus under the title of the ‘Turkish Cypriot State’ as well as the launching of an initiative towards the removal of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.