This week in North Cyprus > 25 July-1 August 2005
Turkey signs ' Ankara ' protocol.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gil said that the declaration issued following the signing of the protocol that extends Turkeys customs union agreement with the 10 EU member states clearly states that relations between Turkey and the TRNC will continue.
The signing of the protocol was required to allow Turkey to begin accession talks to join the EU, which 10 member states include Greece and South Cyprus .
The declaration made it clear that the signing does not mean Ankara now recognises the Greek Cypriot-administered ' Republic of Cyprus '. The declaration said "the Republic of Cyprus referred to in the protocol is not the original partnership state established in 1960" and added "Turkey declares that signature, ratification, and implementation of the protocol does not amount to any form of recognition of the Republic of Cyprus referred to in the protocol". The declaration said, " Turkey will continue to regard the Greek Cypriot authorities as exercising authority, control and jurisdiction only in the territory south of the buffer zone, as is currently the case, and not as representing the Turkish Cypriot people, and will treat the acts performed by them accordingly".
The declaration also states that Turkey will continue in its efforts to find a comprehensive and lasting solution for the island.
Ban lifted on North Cyprus Tourism advertisements on London Transport.
A ban made earlier this year by the London Transport Authority (TFL) on adverts posted on buses, tubes, trains, and other sites advertising tourism in North Cyprus was finally ruled unlawful and irrational by Britain 's Supreme Court.
Supreme court Judge Mr Justice Newman said, "There had been an error of law, error of fact and irrationality".
The decision was a victory for the North Cyprus Tourism Centre (NCTC) in London where the ruling was described as "a victory for common sense".
The QC acting on behalf of the NCTC and the Paradise Found travel company, Michael Beloff, had argued that banning posters advertising tourism in the North on buses, trains and tubes and other sites was an abuse of power, "animated by legally immaterial political considerations". It was also claimed to be in breach of article 10 of the Human rights convention, which protects freedom of expression.
Upholding the challenge Justice Newman said the decision restricted the Tourism Centres "freedom of expression by denying it a vital medium for its advertisements" The judge formally quashed the advertising ban and refused TFL permission to appeal to the court of appeal.
Both the North Cyprus Tourism Centre and Paradise Found were awarded legal costs, though to be in the region of £140,000.
The judge said it was not the contents of the advert which had caused complaint but the website at the address shown on the ads which referred to the Tourism Centre as "the UK representative office of the North Cyprus Tourism Ministry". The judge commented, "I cannot accept that a prospective holidaymaker would read the website and understand it to have stated that TRNC has been recognised by Her Majesty's Government as a state having power over North Cyprus ". Mr Newman went on to say "No offensive product or service was offered by this advertisement, which merely illustrated the cultural and environmental delights of North Cyprus," the advertisement "carried no political message" and TFL's decision to introduce the ban "disproportionate" and was not justified by any "pressing social need".
Communal Resistance Day marked with celebrations
Monday the 01 st August saw the marking of the anniversary of three events in Turkish history. The first being the 434 th anniversary of the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottomans, the second anniversary marked was the 47 th anniversary of the Turkish Cypriot Resistance Organisation - the TMT, and finally the 29 th anniversary of the establishment of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces. Celebrations took place through out the TRNC and included wreath-laying ceremonies at Atatürk monuments and martyrs cemeteries across the TRNC. The Security forces held concerts. Other events included a road race between Bogazk ö y and the fighter's headquarters building in Lefkosa and an open-air exhibition of weapons and vehicles used by the TMT- Turkish Cypriot Resistance Organisation. Coastguard patrol boats off Girne were open to the public during the day.
Monday also saw the formal unveiling of the Freedom and Limassol and Girne Martyrs' Monument, on the roundabout near Girne's new harbour. The idea of the monument was planned by a group of Turkish Cypriots from the Fighters Association led by Atilla Berberoglu. The project was drawn up by Professor Dr Tankut Ektem and was built by Korman construction at a cost of £60,000. The costs were met by local donations and by the Istanbul based foundation for the construction of Turkish Martyrs Monuments and Cemeteries.
Historic direct flight lands at Ercan airport.
Executives and officials from Azerbaijan were among a delegation of 82 that flew on an historic direct flight to Ercan airport on the evening of 27 th July. During their visit, the party signed two co-operation documents with Turkish Cypriot trade and Banking organisations. The historic 2-hour flight ITX883 was the first flight to officially arrive from anywhere beyond Turkey . The passengers came out of the plane waving Azeri flags and were greeted by a large group of Turkish Cypriots, some waving banners welcoming their "Azeri brothers" to the TRNC. The delegation was given flowers and traditional beads used to ward off the evil eye.
TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat met the delegation and said the prospect of direct flights were very important.
New look Girne Town centre officially unvieled .
The facelift of Girne's town centre was formally inaugurated last week at a ribbon cutting ceremony. The project that included the refurbishment and pedestrianisation of the main 'town hall' square and pavement and other works on three main town centre areas, were officilaly unvieled in a cermony attended by Girne Mayor Sümer Aygi n, TRNC Public Works and Transport Minister Salih Usar and the head of the European Commission delegation to Cyprus Adrian van Der Meer. The project was funded by the European Union through the United Nations Development Programme as part of its Partnership for the future (PFF) programme. The United Nations Office for Project Services (Unops) regional director, Christophe Bouvier and Titziana Zennaro director of PFF, who both spoke of their pleasure at the successful completion of the project, also attended the ceremony.
In his speech, outgoing EU envoy Mr Van Der Meer said that Girne was the first place he had visited upon arriving on the island 5 years ago, and the town was now the scene of his final official duty. Mr Van Der Meer expressed pride at having played a part in such an important project, which had helped raise the standard of living in the town.
Mr Usar presented the EU and UNOPS representatives with commemorative plaques and thanked them for their contributions.
Other news.
South bans TC reporters
The world press freedom organisation 'Reporter Without Borders' expressed dismay at a South Cyprus decision to ban TRNC based journalists from covering the historic champions league tie in South Nicosia between Turkish side Trabzonspor and Greek Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta. The group called the decision "a clear violation of free access to information" and said, "It is unacceptable for journalists to be targets of political blackmail, fomenting confrontation rather than reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities". The match saw a 3-1 victory to the Greek Cypriot team. The winners of the draw will play Scottish champions Rangers in the next round.
Turkish Cypriot London demonstration.
London-based Turkish Cypriots staged their own demonstration over Greek Cypriot President Papadopoulos' visit last week with UK PM Tony Blair. The demonstration outside No 10 Downing Street was organised by pressure group 'Embargoed!' to highlight how Turkish Cypriots have been socially and economically oppressed, and their rights to an equal political voice in Cyprus effectively silenced for the past 41 years.
Over 100 protesters gathered in Whitehall displaying banners and some were gagged to illustrate the Turkish Cypriots isolation from the political process.
It was hoped the peaceful protest would encourage Tony Blair and his government to end the isolation of North Cyprus and demonstrate that world leaders could do 'the right thing'.
North Cyprus weather forecast
There will some cloud midweek and hotter temperatures are forecast. Humidity will continue to rise. Highest temperatures inland will be between 37 - 39C,
and between 32 - 34C on the coast.
Last weeks maximum and minimum temperatures were as follows
|
MAXIMUM |
MINIMUM |
Lefko sa |
40.2C |
20.0C |
Ercan |
40.5C |
21.0C |
Gazi Magusa |
34.7C |
20.5C |
Girne |
36.4C |
20.6C |
Güzelyurt |
39.0C |
18.0C |
Exchange Rates (as of 01.08.05)
£ Sterling |
2.315YTL |
$ Dollar |
1.325YTL |
€ Euro |
1.605YTL |
£ Cyprus pounds |
2.755YTL |
Resources: Cyprus Today
Contact
Us 
You can contact
us with any question about Properties
for sale in North Cyprus or related
services. You can contact us directly
by phone, fax or email.
info@cyprusislandhomes.com
|
