PRESIDENT TALAT: “WE EXPECT THE DIRECT TRADE REGULATION TO BE APPROVED”

President Mehmet Ali Talat speaking to Anatolian News Agency (AA) expressed the expectation for the approval of the EU Direct Trade Regulation during Germany’s presidency in the EU.

“If the Regulation is not approved, the EU would find itself in a more embarrassing position”, said President Talat adding that it was the responsibility of the EU to lift the isolation and implement the Direct Trade Regulation. Pointing out that the isolation imposed upon the TRNC was unjust, Talat said the reason for this was that the Turkish Cypriot side voted “yes” for the solution of the Cyprus problem, thus its continuing isolation was meaningless.

Stating that not much developments had taken place recently towards the reunification of the island, the President said the Turkish Cypriot side continued to explain to the whole world and the UN that the only way to provide a solution to the Cyprus problem was through negotiations.

ERCAKICA: “TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE SPIRIT OF THE 8 JULY AGREEMENT”

It appears that the Greek Cypriot leaders have recently adopted calling upon President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat “to act in line with the 8 July Agreement he signed” as a state policy.

Therefore, we deem it necessary to clarify the position employed by the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the 8 July Agreement once again:

Turkish Cypriot side is fully committed to the letter and spirit of the 8 July agreement.

The purpose of the 8 July Agreement, as it has been clarified many times and acknowledged by the international community, is to facilitate the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations. The comprehensive settlement negotiations do not only serve as the purpose of the 8 July Agreement, but they are also the only means to reach a settlement to the Cyprus Problem. Maintaining the current situation or moving the Turkish Cypriots under the Greek Cypriot administration by means of osmosis do not constitute a solution. Since settlement should be acceptable to both sides, negotiation is the only means to reach such a settlement.

All the problems that are being faced today regarding the 8 July process are caused completely by the Greek Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriot side is striving to manipulate this process as a means of avoiding the comprehensive settlement negotiations and hampering the relations the EU is trying to develop with the Turkish Cypriots. This approach employed by the Greek Cypriots has been observed not only by us but also by some Greek Cypriot intellectuals and many foreign diplomats. These problems are of nature that can be overcome if the Greek Cypriot side decides to implement the 8 July Agreement in line with its letter and spirit.

If the Greek Cypriot side is encountering difficulties, President Mr. Talat is ready to meet with the Leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, as early as possible, to provide contributions to overcome these problems.

The Turkish Cypriot side is ready to work in good faith for the 8 July process which will lead both parties to comprehensive settlement negotiations. This determination has also been clearly established in 5 April 2007 dated reevaluation document sent to the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban-Ki moon by President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat. Provided that the 8 July process proves futile, the Turkish Cypriot side is still ready for the immediate resumption of comprehensive settlement negotiations in accordance with the established UN parameters.

The Turkish Cypriot side is determined to widely contribute to the settlement of the Cyprus Problem, not to delay the settlement and resist any kind of action that will deteriorate the situation on the island. Instead of making abstract calls, the Greek Cypriot leaders should employ concrete positions that will reveal their intentions as to whether they will contribute to the realization of the said purposes or not.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE ORGANIZATION STARTED

The `1st National and International Coordination and Humanitarian Assistance (IC-HAND 2007) in the Natural Disasters and Extraordinary Situations` Conference organized by the TRNC Civil Defense Organization has started on Monday (16 April).

The Conference will be held in four sessions where 23 scientists would give presentations on 26 subjects.

“Natural Disasters”, “Preparation for Natural Disasters” and “Technology and Communication when intervening in Natural Disasters”, “Risk Management”, Modern Disaster Management”, “Solidarity and Cooperation in Natural Disasters” are the topics of the Conference.

On Thursday night (19 April), The Second International Civil Defense Exercise will be carried out in Taskinköy, Lefkosa.

105 people came from 36 countries in order to attend the Conference and the Exercise.