STATEMENT BY PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON HASAN ERCAKICA ON 18 MARCH 2008

As it is known, President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat has attended the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), 11^th Kings and Heads of State and Government Summit held in Dakar, capital of Senegal last week.

At the summit, President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat also delivered a speech and, while stressing the position of the Turkish Cypriot people which is in favor of reaching a solution for the Cyprus problem, he also shared the position of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the current aspects of the Cyprus problem with the leaders of the Islamic world.

As it is also acknowledged, President Mr. Talat seized the opportunity to have a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon who also was attending the summit and to reflect on the developments concerning the Cyprus problem. While asking Mr. Ban Ki-moon to be more actively involved in the Cyprus problem, President Mr. Talat gave the assurance that the Turkish side will spend its best efforts so as to reach an early and just solution for the Cyprus problem.

President Mr. Talat stressed that he welcomed the decisions regarding the Cyprus problem adopted within the framework of the OIC summit conferences until now and pointed out, particularly to the significance of the decisions which “indicate the unjust treatment to the Turkish Cypriots, call upon the Islamic countries to act with solidarity beside the Turkish Cypriots especially after the referenda held in 2004 and encourage the lifting of the isolations” for the Turkish Cypriots.

Within this context, it can be stated that the OIC Summit President Mr. Talat attended has proved to be quite fruitful.

 

 

GERMAN CO-LEADER OF GREENS PARTY CLAUDIA ROTH IN THE TRNC

The Co-Leader of the German Greens Party and Member of the German Federal Parliament Claudia Roth came to the TRNC via Ercan Airport upon the invitation of the Speaker of TRNC Parliament Fatma Ekenoglu.

Speaking upon her arrival at Ercan Airport, Claudia Roth stated that they are on the island to serve as builders of a bridge between the two sides. She said that they are in Cyprus as individuals, who have experience in divided societies, efforts to demolish the wall, and the positive results of reconciliation. She added that they would like to contribute to achieving progress in Cyprus.

Within the framework of her contacts, Roth yesterday (18 March) received by President Mehmet Ali Talat, Speaker of Parliament Fatma Ekenoglu and Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

Speaking during the meeting President Talat pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots have been spending great efforts internally in order to establish a political system that is in accordance with international conditions and the European approach. He said the division in Cyprus is quite different from the division in Germany. He added that their aim is to contribute to the general approach and the EU realities. Talat stated that they know that the EU means having no borders, no ethnic conflicts and no isolations and that it means multilingualism, cooperation, dialogue and solving the problems through negotiations and discussions.

Talat highlighted that Turkish Cypriots are the last isolated people in Europe and said that they are looking forward to finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, adding that they are hopeful.

For her part, Claudia Roth stated that they wanted to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem. She said it is an honor for them to meet with President Talat and expressed hope for peace in Cyprus. “Spring is approaching. We want it not to be a meteorological spring only, but also a political one in Cyprus” she added.

Roth said: “Europe is an ideal for open borders, multicultural and multi-religious societies, not walls. Not divisions, borders and isolations”.

Later Claudia Roth was received by the Speaker of the Parliament Fatma Ekenoglu.

Speaking during the meeting, Roth noted that Europe had a great importance at a time when there was an increase in disagreements and walls and the opportunities in this regard should be utilized. “We can determine the future by building bridges not walls. Demolishing the last wall in Europe and building a bridge is an important duty. We are here to build bridges”, she added.

For her part, Fatma Ekenoglu pointed to the difficulties experienced by the Turkish Cypriot people because of the non solution of the Cyprus problem and the isolation. Ekenoglu said Roth’s arrival to the TRNC by using the TRNC ports was very important at a time when the biggest difficulty was in the field of transportation.

Claudia Roth and her delegation were also received by Prime Minister Soyer.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot side is continuing to work for peace, the development of friendship and a solution based on the political equality of the two sides in Cyprus, the Prime Minister said they need the support of the Greens Party in this process.      

Referring to the upcoming Talat-Christofias meeting, the Premier expressed hope that the two leaders will reach an agreement on achieving mutually acceptable settlement on the basis of UN parameters.

 

 

FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI RECEIVES TRNC HONORARY REPRESENTATIVE IN LOS ANGELES

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý yesterday (18 March) received TRNC’s Honorary Representative in Los Angeles Mehmet Mustafaoglu and his wife.

During the visit Mustafaoglu gave information about the lobbying activities carried out in the USA and stated that the activities were mainly in the Western region of the USA. Mustafaoglu pointed out that they wanted to establish closer cooperation with the TRNC government with the aim of making the TRNC’s voice to be heard more in the USA.

Foreign Minister Avcý expressing pleasure to see Mustafaoglu and his wife in the TRNC drew attention to the importance of the relations with the USA and said that they were lucky to have an honorary representative like Mustafaoglu in the USA.

During the meeting Avcý pointed out that studies would be carried out in order to establish deeper cooperation, and received information about the works of the Assembly of the Turkish-American Associations where Mustafaoglu is also the member of the board of directors.