This week in North Cyprus > 5th-12th June 2006
Negative Attitude By Greek Cypriot Administration
President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the negative attitude displayed by the Greek Cypriot Administration on the proposed establishment of the bi-communal technical committees was once more proof that it was against finding a solution to the Cyprus Problem.
The President was speaking in Istanbul at the end of his contacts in Germany where he met with the German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier.
Speaking to the BRT, President Talat said that the Turkish Side’s current overall policy on the Cyprus Problem will be reevaluated when the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a planned visit to the Turkish Republic of Cyprus next month but however added that it is highly unlikely there will be any important changes in either Turkey’s or the TRNC’s stance on the Cyprus Issue.
He said it was natural for such a re-evaluation to be made between the two countries but added that it was impossible for Turkey or the Turkish Cypriot Side to abandon its main policy of wanting a solution to the Cyprus Problem.
As for the establishment of the proposed bi-communal technical committees, the President accused the Greek Cypriot Administration of deliberately dragging its feet.
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Confidence Building Measures
The Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and his Greek Counterpart yesterday agreed on a new set of confidence building measures between the two countries.
The two foreign ministers unveiled the package of measures at a joint press conference after meeting in Istanbul yesterday.
Among the confidence building measures envisaged in the package is the creation of a telephone hot line between the army chiefs of the two countries and joint exercises on how to deal with natural disasters.
The two foreign ministers also announced that a moratorium on military exercises on the Aegean Sea had been extended to last one month longer, till the end of September as the coasts of the two countries are crowded by tourists in summer.
The confidence building measures also foresee the construction of a new border building between the two countries and the establishment of a committee for co-operation against floods on the Evros, the river dividing the two countries.
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Abdullah Gul: Significant Developments
Turkish Foreign Minister- Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has described President Mehmet Ali Talat’s official visit to Germany as a very significant development.
Stating that the Turkish Side did its best to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, Mr Gul said that Ankara’s Action Plan on Cyprus was Turkey’s and the Turkish Cypriot Side’s guide towards finding a solution to the Cyprus Problem.
“Anything done within the framework of the Cyprus Action Plan is possible” he added.
(BRT, 11/06/06, North Cyprus)
TRNC President Talat Evaluates Germany Trip
President Mehmet Ali Talat has warned that if the Greek Cypriot side continues its intransigent attitude towards the Cyprus issue, the Turkish Cypriot people may change its pro solution stance on the island.
President Talat made the statement during an interview with the Turkish television station NTV, where he evaluated his meeting with the German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier.
Explaining that his trip to Germany had been a symbolic one, President Mehmet Ali Talat said the German government hadn’t made it clear whether or not it would take steps towards helping end the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Noting that it was only natural for Germany to be interested in the Cyprus issue as it would be becoming the term President of the United Nations Security Council, President Talat repeated ‘the address for a solution is the United Nations not the European Union’.
Explaining that as long as Turkey has fulfilled its responsibilities towards the European Union it will be able to reach its aim of EU membership, President Talat also expressed the belief that although Turkey may face delays to its EU membership due to it not opening up its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels, it will continue with its just stance.
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Abdullah Gul & COunterpart gIve Press Conference
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and his Greek counterpart Dora Bakoyanni have given a joint press conference at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.
Speaking during the press conference Foreign Minister Gul expressed the belief that improving relations and trust between Turkey, Greece and the whole of Cyprus, will form a separate column within the European Union.
‘I hope that the realities of the island will be taken into consideration when a solution is found. Unfortunately in 2004 a great opportunity was missed, so from now on we must work towards finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem’, he added. Meanwhile speaking earlier during the 4th Turkish-Greek Media conference in Istanbul, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni referred to Turkey’s EU aspirations and noted that Greece had taken a one sided decision to support Turkey during her path to EU membership.
She also noted that the Greek people wanted to live in peace with Turkey.
Stating that the European Union had asked all candidate countries to fulfill its reforms package - as it had Turkey, Ms Bakoyanni referred to the Cyprus issue and said that Lefkosa was the only remaining divided capital in Europe.
‘We want the two peoples on the island to live in peace’, she said adding that despite all the efforts being made towards this, slow progress had been made.
(BRT, 10/06/06, North Cyprus)
President Talat In Germany
President Mehmet Ali Talat has gone to Germany for a series of official contacts with the German government on the Cyprus issue.
The TRNC President will be holding official talks in Berlin tomorrow on the Cyprus problem with the German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier.
The talks are also expected to include the influence the European Union has on the Cyprus issue, and the unjust international isolation of North Cyprus.
The President’s official meeting with the German Foreign Minister will take place in Berlin tomorrow.
On the sidelines of his visit to Germany, the TRNC President will deliver a lecture at a gathering organized by the Union of Turkish Democrats, a society based in Germany.
Mr. Talat will also attend a brain storm meeting organized by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
Representatives from all political parties of Germany are expected to attend the event.
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Serdar Denktas Meets With Turkish PM
Deputy-Prime Minister – Foreign Minister Serdar Denktash has met with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul.
Speaking after the meeting, Serdar Denktas said he was pleased to see that Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus cause remains unchanged.
Serdar Denktas said Turkey remains committed to its unwavering position against opening its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot registered vessels and aircraft.
Speaking after his meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan in Istanbul today, the TRNC Deputy Prime Minister announced that a broad based meeting will be held in July in Ankara to be attended by political parties from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish government.
Expressing relief - once again - for having had an opportunity to reaffirm Turkey’s determination to continue to refuse to open up its ports and airports unilaterally to the Greek Cypriot registered vessels and aircraft, the TRNC Deputy Prime Minister said the Turkish Prime Minister Mr Erdogan had welcomed the suggestion for the broad based round table meeting on Cyprus.
Our meeting had amounted to receiving additional guarantees from the Turkish Prime Minister that Turkey’s position with regard to the Cyprus issue remains unchanged just days before the country’s accession talks with the EU begin.
“This clearly means that Turkey’s position on the issue is exactly as explained in the Action Plan” he said.
He expressed the hope that the European Union will realize the Greek Cypriot Side’s position against sharing anything with the Turkish Cypriot side.
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Impossible For Turkey To Open Ports
The Turkish Minister of State and Chief Negotiator with the EU Ali Babacan has said that it is impossible for Turkey to open its ports to the Greek Cypriot Side until a comprehensive and lasting solution within the framework of the United Nations has been found to the Cyprus Problem.
Mr Babacan was speaking at a press conference in Ankara today.
Responding to a question, Ali Babacan reminded that the Greek Cypriot Side had voted against the Annan Plan in 2004 referendum and said that because of the failed solution efforts, the international community began to consider Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side as the side that wants a solution on the island.
Stressing the different view point that Turkey has on the implementation of the Additional Protocol extending the country’s customs union with the Union to include the new members, Mr Babacan reminded how Turkey has repeatedly explained its clear position on this.
He said that the new Action Plan as announced by the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in January is still on the table, and that Turkey is still waiting for a reciprocal move from the other parties concerned.
(BRT, 08/06/06, North Cyprus)
| Serdar Denktas In Ankara - EU Expected To Keep Promises (08/06/06) |
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Serdar Denktas In Ankara
Deputy Prime Minister – Foreign Minister Serdar Denktash met his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and the Minister of State Abdullatif Sener this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party Huseyin Ozgurgun flew to Istanbul this afternoon for a meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Foreign Minister Serdar Denktash who flew to Ankara this afternoon – has embarked on his contacts in the Turkish capital.
Mr Denktash met with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Minister of StateAbdullatif Sener.
At the end of his contacts in Ankara, Mr Denktash will tomorrow go on to Istanbul where he will meet the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Speaking at Ercan Airport before his departure, the Foreign Minister underlined the need for the Turkish Cypriots to adopt a joint stance on the Cyprus issue in order to end, what he called, the current stalemate on the issue.
Meanwhile, the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party Huseyin Ozgurgun flew to Istanbul this afternoon for a meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Mr. Ozgurgun is expected to convey to the Turkish Prime Minister, his party’s concerns and expectations on the Cyprus Problem.
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EU Expected To Keep Promises
The Turkish Minister of State and the Chief Negotiator to the European Union Ali Babacan has said Ankara expects the European Union to keep its promises for the removal of the international isolations of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
His comments came in an interview with a Turkish television channel during which he referred to his country’s EU membership process and the Cyprus issue.
Explaining that the Turkish side had done its best to help bring about a solution to the Cyprus problem, he reminded that the Annan Plan was overwhelmingly approved by the Turkish Cypriot people while it was rejected by the Greek Cypriots.
Mr Babacan said that Ankara is still waiting the European Union to act in line with its statements issued soon after the 2004 Referendum and honor its promises to help ease the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Responding to a question concerning the opening of the Turkish ports to the Greek Cypriot registered vessels and planes, Mr Babacan said there are differences between Ankara and the European Commission on the implementation of the additional protocol.
(BRT, 07/06/06, North Cyprus)
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