A delegation from the British House of Lords came to the TRNC in order to carry out series of contacts.

Three members of the British House of Lords namely Lord Maginnis, Lord Harrison and Lord Ahmet whose visit was organized by The Friends of North Cyprus, yesterday (2 April) received by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý.

During the meeting, the Lords stressed that the Turkish Cypriots should explain the realities about the Cyprus problem to the world more effectively.

Lord Maginnis pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots faced with difficulties in communicating with the world and the intense lobbying of the Greek Cypriot side.

Maginnis expressed the group’s readiness to help the Turkish Cypriot people in explaining their position and problems regarding the Cyprus issue to the EU and British authorities and said that the Turkish Cypriot side should take a more active part in foreign politics.

Stating that in reaction to the Greek Cypriot side’s efforts to impose its ideas about the Cyprus issue to the world, the Turkish Cypriot side should continuously inform the foreign powers about the realities in the island, Maginnis expressed belief that TRNC, who won the Orams case and the case with London Transport Authority, would also win the case with direct flights.

Lord Harrison also speaking during the meeting stated that they were ready to do their best in supporting the Turkish Cypriots in their just cause.

Pointing out that they would help the Turkish Cypriots to develop their relations with the EU and other countries, Lord Harrison said the existing opportunities should be well considered.

For his part, Lord Ahmet pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot people had an important place in the UK and stressed that the isolation imposed upon them should end.

Drawing attention to the importance of starting the direct flights as soon as possible, Lord Ahmet said: “We want the problem preventing the start of direct flights to be solved. If this can be done, more tourists would come to the TRNC.”

Foreign Minister Avcý for his part stated that the Cyprus realities could be acknowledged better by visiting North Cyprus.

Expressing hope that more Lords and foreign diplomats would visit the TRNC, Avcý said: “Here lies the Cyprus reality.”

Pointing out that the isolation imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots was inhumane, Avcý said they expected the EU Term President Germany to implement the Direct Trade Regulation.

Foreign Minister Avcý referring to the Lokmacý (Ledra Street) border gate, stated that the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to open this gate under the same conditions implemented when opening the other gates.

OZTURK: “ECONOMIC COOPERATION IS IMPORTANT FOR ENDING THE ISOLATION”
ALIYEV: “OUR AIM IS TO ESTABLISH ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RELATIONS AMONGST TURKIC REPUBLICS”

Foreign Trade Expert from Azerbaijan Ersat Aliyev who is having contacts in the TRNC for the preparatory works of the ‘Economy and Culture Platform’, which will be formed with the participation of the Turkic States as well as South Korea and Ukraine, yesterday received by the Minister of Economy and Tourism Enver Ozturk.

Ersat Aliyev, who came to the island in order to carry out contacts for developing economic relations between the TRNC and the Turkic Republics, speaking during the meeting stated that besides Turkic Republics, with the participation of other strategic partners such as South Korea and Ukraine they aimed to form an “Economy and Culture Platform” with the cooperation of Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry, Chamber of Commerce and Businessmen Association.

Aliyev pointed out that the private sector representatives should also take initiatives along with the government authorities to lift the international isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and asked for the Ministry’s support on the issue.

For his part, the Minister of Economy and Tourism Enver Ozturk expressed the need for closer cooperation and solidarity among all Turkic states to achieve at least the partial lifting of the international isolations on the TRNC.

Ozturk stating that the cooperation in the field of tourism between the TRNC and Azerbaijan should be further developed, said they were working to expand the tourism areas in North Cyprus, which was an important location for tourism.

GREEK ACADEMICIAN SUPPORTS TURKISH OIL THESIS

Greek Law Academician Dr. Achilles Skordas speaking during a conference at the Woodrow Wilson Academicians Center, which is a think-tank in the US, stated that the TRNC’s demand for sharing the income to be derived from the oil explorations around Cyprus was legitimate.

According to the information received by the TRNC’s Washington Representative Hilmi Akil, Skordas, who is an academician in the Law Faculty of the UK Bristol University, gave a conference entitled “Exploitation of Oil in the Eastern Mediterranean; Cyprus, Turkey and International Law” in the Woodrow Wilson Academicians Center.

Skordas’ presentation was given under three main topics which were the problems to be emerged between the Greek Cypriot administration and the TRNC, the rights of the companies who won the oil tender and the so-called “exclusive economic zone” agreements signed between the Greek Cypriot administration and Egypt and Lebanon.

Pointing out that the TRNC had the right to govern its region, Skordas said the oil incomes should be shared between the two sides in Cyprus and stressed that the demand of the Turkish Cypriots for sharing the income to be obtained as a result of oil explorations was totally legitimate.