FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI: “EMBARGOES ON SPORTS ARE AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS”

            Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý, yesterday (6 February) received the delegation of Cyprus Turkish Sports Writers Association (KTSYD). Speaking during the meeting, Foreign Minister Avcý stated that in their foreign contacts besides political isolation, they had also emphasized the isolation on transportation, sports, education, culture and trade imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots.

            Pointing out that protecting the interests of and overcoming the difficulties in the country should be more important than politics, Avcý said the Greek Cypriot administration’s efforts to “keep the Turkish Cypriots in a closed box” were a question of common concern.

            Explaining that while the TRNC government was struggling for political openings, the KTSYD was struggling against the restrictions in sports as well as other sectors struggling against the restrictions in their fields, Avcý said: “Consequently, both politicians and NGO’s have a joint goal”.

            Continuing, Foreign Minister Avcý said:

“We always underline the restrictions imposed on sports, because this is against human rights. Preventing our youth to compete with youth in another country in the field of sports is against human rights. Therefore, we call upon the EU whose “values are based on human rights”. In this context, we support your efforts and will continue to do so regarding this issue”.

            Stressing that no one had the right to prevent the Turkish Cypriot youth especially in terms of education and sports, Avcý said: “It is time to make openings and explain ourselves. Others might not understand us in the first time, but we should try again and make them to rethink.”

ERÇAKICA: “THERE IS A NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL CONTRIBUTION”

It has been stated by the TRNC Presidency that there is a need for international contribution in order to overcome the current deadlock in the efforts to reach a settlement to the Cyprus Issue.

At the weekly press conference held by the Presidential Spokesman Mr. Hasan Ercakica yesterday (6 February) it was stated that the Greek Cypriot side is striving to waste the year 2007 as “a preparation year” and in this context, the international community was asked to provide their contributions to avert the course of events in that direction.

Stating that the TRNC Presidency has been closely following the changes in the political tendency of the Turkish Cypriot people Spokesman Ercakica added that the developments since 24 April 2004 and particularly the intransigent position of the Greek Cypriot side which resulted in a deadlock in the efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus Issue, have caused disappointment among the Turkish Cypriot people.

Spokesman Ercakica stated that some developments under the umbrella of the European Union (EU) have also caused disappointment among the Turkish Cypriot people.

Underlining that despite all, Turkish Cypriot side is determined to maintain their settlement efforts which they believe will contribute to the promotion of world peace and cooperation in the region Spokesman Ercakica said “These efforts are mainly based on political equality and the principle of a bi-zonal settlement”.

A letter has been sent to Ban-Ki moon

Presidential Spokesman Mr. Hasan Ercakica has announced that President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat has sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon clarifying the position of Turkish Cypriot side regarding the attempts of the Greek Cypriot side to sign agreements with the neighbouring countries for oil explorations in the seas surrounding the island of Cyprus.