Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý called upon France which is preparing to take over the next EU term presidency to revise its stance regarding the planned joint military exercise with the Greek Cypriot administration.

Foreign Minister Avcý said it is not a sign of good will for France to hold a joint military exercise with the Greek Cypriot side.

Stating that Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias’ insistence on extending the negotiations process and avoiding a certain time-table is unacceptable Avcý reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side’s commitment towards an urgent, comprehensive and just solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of equality.

Speaking to Anatolian News Agency Foreign Minister Avcý pointed out that France, Greece and Greek Cypriot administration agreed to perform a joint military exercise "Argonaftis" from June 2^nd to 6^th in South Cyprus and international waters.

“To perform such a military exercise at a time when France is preparing to take over the EU term presidency and when the negotiations process has started in Cyprus is not a sign of good will. We as the Turkish Cypriots have always acted with good will and sensitivity for the continuation of the negotiations process and the relations between the two sides. However, in response to this South Cyprus has signed a protocol with France to perform a joint military exercise. France should revise its stance regarding the planned joint military exercise with the Greek Cypriot administration”, said Foreign Minister Avcý.

Drawing attention to the drawbacks of the EU member states’ one-sided relations with South Cyprus Avcý said this was not welcomed by the Turkish Cypriots and added: "They have already been imposing unfair isolation on us. There are unfulfilled pledges. Such one-sided approaches providing advantage to Greek Cypriots, reinforcing and pampering them are not proper attitudes."

Referring to 23 May meeting between President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias, Avcý welcomed the joint statement issued at the end of the meeting.

Avcý noted that the Turkish Cypriot side is determined to pursue a policy which has been jointly decided with Turkey.

Stressing that it could be an advantage for the Greek Cypriot side to extend the negotiations for another 30 years, Avcý said however this was not an advantage for Turkish Cypriots and the TRNC would not stop its openings towards the world because there were negotiations.

Avcý explained that they have been spending every effort for developing the TRNC and its institutional structure while continuing with negotiations on the other hand, adding that however, these negotiations could not last forever.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý said bilateral relations have been established with Syria after a break of 30 years, adding that these relations will have an impact on all sectors. He said: “nobody can stop us from opening to the world”.

Foreign Minsiter Avcý hosted a dinner in honor of Syrian tourism operators who came to the TRNC with the aim of improving tourism relations between the TRNC and Syria on Tuesday night (27 May).

In a short address at the dinner, Foreign Minister Avcý expressed pleasure to host Syrian guests and stated that the relations between Syria and the TRNC will have an impact on all sectors.

Also speaking at a dinner the Chairman of Syrian Chamber of Maritime Abdulkadir Sabra stated that there were no borders in the field of tourism and expressed desire to improve relations with the Turkish Cypriot people.

Sabra also pointed out that they wanted Syrian investors to invest in the TRNC and contribute to the development of the TRNC’s economy.

According to Greek Cypriot daily Phileleftheros the EU’s Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn stated that it was possible that a new state could be established in Cyprus and he did not exclude the virgin birth principle.

Responding to a question about virgin birth Rehn said: “The constitutional experts of Greek Cypriot leader Christofias and President Talat can find the most suitable legal formula for a settlement and even can turn a circle into a square.”

According to the newspaper Rehn made this statement in response to the question of Greek Cypriot Member of European Parliament Yannakis Matsakis during Turkish-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee and pointed out that the EU did not prefer to interfere to the negotiation process especially on core issues and that a possible legal formula can be found for a mutually acceptable settlement.