This week in North Cyprus > 1th - 8th August 2005
President reassures that Turkey 'will never sell us out'
Turkey will never sell us out, that was President Mehmet Ali Talat's reply to a question from a Greek Cypriot lawyer during his monthly press briefing. Talat said, " Turkey will never recognise the Greek Cypriot administration as the Republic of Cyprus no matter how much pressure it comes under from the European Union. Mr Talat went on by saying "It is impossible for Turkey to recognise the Greek Cypriot side at this stage. She will recognise the new structure that will emerge from the solution of the Cyprus problem. Turkey cannot agree to the Greek Cypriots side's wish for recognition. That is totally, absolutely impossible - there is not the tiniest possibility."
The president also commented that it was the Greek Cypriots intention to bring pressure on Turkey for other purposes. Whilst Mr Talat admitted, there had been no progress on the Cyprus issue he said the fact that there had been little reaction to the first direct flight arriving form Azeri was a "striking development".
Land mines set to be cleared from 'buffer zone'
Officials from the TRNC have reached agreement with the United Nations on clearing mines from the buffer zone it was announced at the end of last week. The move looks set to end the heavily mined corridor dividing the North and South that has been patrolled by the UN for over thirty years. President Mehmet Ali Talat said the European Union, which has allocated 2.5 million euros for the task but will increase the funds later, would fund the mine clearing operation. The agreement involves the clearing of mines in the area between Haspolat and Alayk ö y. A launch ceremony is due to take place on Friday 12 th August. Similar mine clearing also funded by the EU has already begun in areas under control of the Greek Cypriot side. Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said the new operation would involve the clearance of mines around the Lokmac i Barricade in lefkosa, paving the way for the long awaited opening of a checkpoint linking the North's Arasta pedestrian area and the South's Ledra Street.
EU commissioner calls for EU members to keep promise to Turkey .
The EU commissioner in charge of enlargement Olli Rehn has called on EU member states to keep the promises it has made to Turkey .
He stressed that Turkey 's accession negotiations process for possible full EU membership, which is to begin on the 03rd of October, should be continuous.
In a statement made to a German newspaper, the EU commissioner said that Turkey had fulfilled its obligations to the European Union by signing the additional protocol that extends its customs union agreement to all member states including the Greek Cypriot administration. Mr Rehn pointed out that recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration was not a precondition for Turkey before it begins its accession negotiations in October, and beckoned all EU member states to keep its promises to Turkey . Explaining that the European Union had a great responsibility, Mr Rehn said that the Union wanted a stable, democratic and prosperous Turkey to join Europe .
Government briefs public on activities of coalition since coming into power.
Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas held a press conference in Girne with the aim of briefing the public on the activities of the Republic Turkish Party United Forces and Democratic Party coalition government.
The two party leaders briefed the public on the government's activities in the last 100 days.
Speaking during the press conference Prime Minister Soyer repeated the governments aim of finding a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem and stressed that the government would be working together with Turkey towards this aim. He explained that it was the Turkish Cypriot peoples yes vote during last years referendum that had enabled direct flights from Azerbaijan to take place, Mr. Soyer said that the government would continue its efforts towards finding a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus Problem and was working in harmony with the Presidential office on this issue.
When asked if the Azeri delegations visit to the Republic had led to the TRNC being recognised internationally, Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas replied by saying that the visits had not led to the diplomatic recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and should not be interpreted as so. "The only way the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus can be recognised is if a solution is found to the Cyprus problem. We should not kid ourselves otherwise." He added.
US delegation to visit TRNC via Istanbul .
A new delegation from the United States House of Representatives arrives in the TRNC on Monday 08 th August for a series of contacts.
Five congressmen and two members of the US Senate will be holding meetings in the Republic as the guest of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry.
Within the framework of its contacts, the delegation will visit President Mehmet Ali Talat, the Speaker of Parliament Fatma Ekenoglu, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas.
The US delegation is expected to leave the island on the 14 th of August.
Monument unveiled in Girne.
As part of events, marking Communal Resistance Day on August 01 st , the Limassol-Girne Martyrs' and Freedom Monument was formally unveiled beside the Girne new harbour roundabout. The monument features the figures of a man and a woman holding Olive branches and is set on a 5.5-metre plinth.
The monument is the work of Professor Tankut Öktem, state sculptor and lecturer at Turkeys Marmara Un iversity Fine Arts Faculty. The monument was built by Korman construction at a cost of £66,000. Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer cut the opening ribbon along with Cyprus Turkish Forces Commander General Hasan Memisoglu, former President Rauf Denktas and the head of the Turkish Martyrs' Cemeteries Construction and Maintenance Foundation Beysan Keyder.
Other news.
Traffic Wardens come to Girne.
A two-month trial of Traffic Wardens began this week in Girne, aimed at curbing illegal and careless parking in the town centre. The eight-strong team, unveiled by Mayor S ümer Aygin on Wednesday, is part of efforts by the local municipality to ease traffic flow through the town. Plans include the installation of cameras to monitor the town centre, said the mayor.
The trial period will see wardens in operation around some of the main streets - including Ziya R ikzi, Atatürk and Canbulat avenues, the Kordonboyu seafront and Ramadan Cemil square, watching out for drivers who ignore double yellow lines, park on the pavements and pull up at corners or in areas where stopping or waiting is not allowed. Mr Aygin said the wardens were authorised to both warn drivers and to issue fines, and he appealed to the public to cooperate with them.
41st Ann iversary of the resistance of Erenkoy.
Monday 08 th August sees the 41 st Anniversary of the Resistance of Erenkoy and the Martyrs who fell during the resistance will be commemorated. President Mehmet Ali Talat and other state and government officials will attend the commemoration ceremony tomorrow. Meanwhile a statement issued on Saturday issued from the Foreign Ministry said that people could go to the village or Erenkoy by land this year to commemorate those who died during the resistance of the village. 26 buses were laid on for those wanting to go to Erenkoy and commemorate their loved ones.
North Cyprus weather forecast
Humidity levels remain high early in the week, temperatures will be cooler but will increase mid week, reaching 34-37C inland and 32-34C on the coast. Winds may be strong at times.
Last weeks maximum and minimum temperatures were as follows
|
MAXIMUM |
MINIMUM |
Lefko sa |
40.6C |
22.2C |
Ercan |
40.8C |
21.2C |
Gazi Magusa |
35.8C |
23.1C |
Girne |
36.2C |
24.0C |
Güzelyurt |
39.0C |
19.5C |
Exchange Rates (as of 01.08.05)
£ Sterling |
2.32YTL |
$ Dollar |
1.31YTL |
€ Euro |
1.61YTL |
£ Cyprus pounds |
2.71YTL |
Resources: Cyprus Today
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