PRIME MINISTER SOYER IN BRUSSELS…
"WE EXPECT SOME ACTION TO BE TAKEN SOON…"

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer yesterday (19 September) officially opened the TRNC Chamber of Commerce's office in Brussels. The office will carry out lobbying activities. Derya Beyatlı and Mualla Cıraklı will be working at the office.

Referring to the opening of the Chamber of Commerce's new representative building in Brussels, Prime Minister Soyer said they expected a new initiative to be taken on the Cyprus issue in the near future and after the framework had been identified the UN would make the necessary statements.

Commenting on the recent remark made by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul that important steps would soon be taken by the UN and that a statement would be made by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan,  Prime Minister Soyer said:

"It was expected that new initiatives would be taken by the UN Secretary-General after 3 October.  The President also gave this message. It's obvious that after 3 October there will be some activity on the Cyprus issue, because the world no longer has the patience for the continuation of the status quo. The efforts of the Papadopoulos administration to take the Cyprus problem out of the UN framework has collapsed in international political centres".

Indicating that he had information to suggest that the UN Secretary-General would make an important statement on the Cyprus issue, the Prime Minister said, "There are initiatives and the framework is the Annan Plan itself. That's the basis. I believe that a firmer framework will be shaped on this ground in the forthcoming days".

 

PRIME MINISTER SOYER MEETS EU ENLARGEMENT DIRECTOR TIMO SUMO

While in Brussels to officially open the TRNC Chamber of Commerce's new representative office, Prime Minister Soyer also met with the Finnish Director General of the Directorate for EU Enlargement Timo Sumo.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Prime Minister Soyer said he had explained in detail to Sumo the concerns of the Turkish Cypriot people on the Cyprus issue.

Indicating that he had stressed it was a grave injustice to the Turkish Cypriot people to insist that Turkey recognize the administration in South Cyprus during its EU process, the Prime Minister said that he had especially stressed that this stance was punishing the Turkish Cypriot people, who supported a settlement and wanted to take their place in the EU.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side had not implemented the Green Line Regulation and was using the advantage of being an EU member to put the Turkish Cypriots in a disadvantageous position, both economically and socially, the Prime Minister said he highlighted this with examples such as  coaches bringing tourists to the North being burnt and the non-participation of Greek Cypriot businessmen in the trade fairs in the North.

Continuing, he said he also explained that together with Turkey opening its ports, the restrictions on Famagusta and Ercan should be lifted and that this would contribute significantly to relations between the two sides.