This week in North Cyprus > 18th - 25th July 2005
Pr ime Minister supports plan for new power plants
TRNC Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer is backing plans to build four new power stations that will serve as a back up during 'peak load' times.
The news comes after another week of repeated power cuts.
The chairman of the electricity workers union Hasan Kaide, announced the decision had been made following a meeting between Mr Soyer and 'Kib-tek' officials and union members.
The new plants would generate an estimated 70 megawatt/hour of power between them.
The cost of building these four new stations would be $40 million.
The most recent series of electricity failures have been blamed on a problem at the Kalecik power plant.
Mr Kaide commented, "as soon as the Kalecik plant disconnects from the system, other existing power suppliers are insufficient. Moreover, the power lines are insufficient." Studies are being carried out to solve the problem but Mr Kaide said that the main requirement was to ensure that the right type of power plant was set up. It is more important to build peak load power plants that will cut in when energy demand exceeds a certain amount.
Foreign homeowners warned of new Greek-Cypriot tactic.
The Eupro organisation that represents foreign homeowners in the TRNC issued a warning last week of possible attempts by Greek-Cypriots to deliver legal summonses by registered post or by courier. The alert followed a Eupro member being targeted to receive a delivery of documents from a South Cyprus ' lawyer's office via the TNT parcel office. The member became suspicious as she was not expecting any packages and was alerted to the fact the package may contain legal documents by a TNT staff member who had telephoned her from the couriers Lefkosa office.
The Lapta property owner said she has only had direct contact once with the former Greek-Cypriot owner of her property. She purchased the property in 1995 from a Turkish Cypriot and moved in as a full time resident in 2000.
Receipt of the envelope was refused and it was returned as "undeliverable".
Immigration rules explained.
Immigration Police Chief Oral Çelebioglu has outlined the requirements for visitors and residents wishing to stay in North Cyprus longer than the initial '90 day' tourist permit.
There are different options available. The first being the residency permits where applicants must prove that they can meet sustain their living in North Cyprus .
Other options include work permit, this allows the entrant to extend their stay in the country and take employment, and the employer supports the application.
A student permit is granted to those wishing to study in North Cyprus and finally a Business permit is necessary for foreigners that decide to set up a business in the country. Mr Çelebioglu also confirmed that crossing the border into South Cyprus does not represent leaving the country for immigration purposes. It is understood that leaving the island via Larnaca airport does represent leaving the island but documentation is required.
Health tests go private
nd but documentation is required.
Health tests go private
The decision to allow health testing for work and residence permits to be carried out at private labortories. The decision was made by Health and Social Assistance Minister Esref Vaiz and in consultation with the Interior and Labour and Social Security ministries, in a bid to deal with the congestion created by the number applying for the health reports required for permits.
Contracts have been signed with laboratories which met the necessary high standards. The tests and results will be strictly monitored by the ministry. Laborarties that were inspected but failed to meet the required standards could be offered contracts in the future if they comply with the set criteria. One criteria is that testing of food sector workers would only be carried out by state hospitals.
Two private labs in the Lefkosa area have so far been awarded contracts and will charge the same for the tests as state hospitals, 107.50YTL for Turkish nationals and £158 for other foreign nationals.
President renews call for peace at 20 th July celebrations
The 31 st anniversary of the 20 th July saw the first celebrations led by new President Mehmet Ali Talat. The president used the occasion to renew his call for a fresh drive to bring the end to Cyprus 's division. Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos vowed after a ceremony in the south not to be pushed into an unacceptable deal.
Addressing crowds at the main parade in Lefkosa President Talat said, "I repeat my appeal to the Greek Cypriot side for peace and friendship".
He went on further by saying "Unity and friendship should be the fate of Turkish and Greek Cypriots, not war, discrimination and hostility. To resolve the Cyprus problem is our mission. We will do our best for this. We have extended our hand in peace to the Greek Cypriot people and we are waiting for them to take it."
In the South Mr Papadopoulos said, "Thirty-one years is a long time, but time will not pressure us to accept a solution that won't secure our physical or national survival of Hellenism in Cyprus ."
New look celebrations mark 31 st anniversary
Peace and Freedom day was celebrated in North Cyprus on the 20 th July, with this years celebrations taking on a new direction. The day's events began in the morning with a 21-gun salute fired at the landing beach near Karao glanoglu where troops came ashore in 1974. Wreaths were put to sea and the Turkish flag and the republics flag were raised on a nearby island. The traditional parade in Lefkosa had a noticeably less military feel about it this year with many more civilians taking part. The parade included several beauty queens including Miss TRNC, car and horse riding enthusiasts and cart wheeling gymnasts. The Turkish Stars aerobatic display team later wowed crowds in Girne with their stunning seven-plane performance.
President Mehmet Ali Talat held an anniversary reception in the evening at the Dome Hotel in Girne.
Events happening this week in North Cyprus
The 10 th international Folk Dancing Festival takes place this week in Gonyeli, dance groups from Spain , Israel , Turkey and Serbia and Montenegro will take part in the festival where events include a photographic exhibition, handicrafts and children's drawing competition. Local singers will be performing throughout the festival that ends on the 29 th July.
This week also sees the start of the second Mozart festival to be held at the Bellapais Abbey. The festival has been organised jointly by the Ministry of Tourism and Economics and the Bavyera attaché of TRNC, Turgay Hilmi.
North Cyprus weather forecast
Temperatures this week will be slightly lower than last week although humidity will be higher making conditions uncomfortable.
Highest temperatures inland will be between 36 - 38C, and between 32 - 34C on the coast.
Last weeks maximum and minimum temperatures were as follows
|
MAXIMUM |
MINIMUM |
Lefko sa |
40.8C |
20.5C |
Ercan |
41.1C |
20.0C |
Gazi Magusa |
35.6C |
22.0C |
Girne |
37.2C |
22.5C |
Güzelyurt |
40.6C |
18.0C |
Exchange Rates (as of 09.07.05)
£ Sterling |
2.31YTL |
$ Dollar |
1.32YTL |
€ Euro |
1.61YTL |
£ Cyprus pounds |
2.71YTL |
Resources: Cyprus Today
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