DEPUTY  PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN  MINISTER AVCI CONTINUES CONTACTS IN LONDON

            Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Mimister  Turgay Avcý,  who went to London for listening the problems  of the Turkish Cypriots living there and to carry out  various contacts and  make investigations started his contacts.

            Yesterday  Avci made  an inspection  in the city  on the promotion  campaign on London Buses  and in Underground  Stations with regard to  North Cyprus.

            During his inspections Avcý was accompanied by TRNC’s London Representative Yonca Senyigit and he later visited the TRNC’s Representative Office.

            Within the framework of his contacts Avci yesterday met with London based Turkish Cypriot Associations  headed by Akmen Sýtký. Speaking during the meeting Avci  said  he went to London in order to make on spot inspections with regard to the problems of the Turkish Cypriots living in London. Foreign Minister Avci stated that in line with the new vision of the Foreign Ministry, he would   examine what was needed  for solving these problems.

            The Head of the London Based Turkish Cypriot Associations Council Akmen Sýtký thanking the Minister for giving them the opportunity to explain their problems, said   for the settlement of the Cyprus issue they would struggle together.         

            Foreign Minister Avci yesterday also attended a lunch given in his honour  by the Turkish Ambassador  to London Akin Alptuna.

            In the afternoon, Avci also received representatives from Turkish Cypriot Community Center, UK Turkish  Football Federation  and Democracy Association.  In the evening Avci  attended a gathering  in Catford, where a large population of Turkish Cypriots live.

 

ISRAELI BUSINESSMAN WHO PURCHASED  A PROPERTY FORMERLY OWNED BY GREEK CYPRIOTS  IN THE TRNC WAS ARRESTED IN THE SOUTH

            An Israeli businessman  aged 59 year old,  was arrested  by the Greek Cypriot police  while entering the island at Larnaca Airport  for purchasing property formerly owned by Greek Cypriots in TRNC.

            According to Greek Cypriot radio,  Israeli businessman  was arrested by the Greek Cypriot police  at the passport control desk for possessing documents showing that he had bought property formerly owned by Greek Cypriots in the TRNC.

             According to the radio   Israeli businessman, who said to be a director at a foreign company, paid 40  thousand  US dollars deposit  to an estate agent in the TRNC  for property formerly  owned  by Greek Cypriots.

 

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN: “WE EXPECT THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION TO RELINGUISH ANY ATTEMTS  TO INVITE INTERNATIONAL TENDERS  FOR OIL AND NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION”

            Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Levent Bilman  said:  “We expect the Greek Cypriot administration to relinquish any attempts to invite international tenders for oil and natural gas exploration by violating the joint rights of the two peoples on the island and creating fait accompli that is not based on agreement between the eastern Mediterranean countries. Insisting on the continuation of tenders  will negatively effect   peace and stability  in the island of Cyprus and the   The ministry statement  stressed that Eastern Mediterranean ”

            In a written statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry it was reminded that  necessary statements were made by the Turkish Foreign Ministry  with regard to the agreements signed between the Greek Cypriot Administration and  Egypt and Lebanon entitled “Exclusive Economic Area Limiting Agreements”  and to a recent law approved in the Greek Cypriot Parliament,  declaring 13 oil exploration areas in the sea surrounding Cyprus island.

            Spokesman Bilman stated that  Turkey’s views on the issue were conveyed to the  UN, international organizations and the related countries and the developments were closely  inspected and evaluated by Turkey.

            The ministry statement  stressed that the  Greek Cypriot Administration did not represent the entire island and  have no right to sign agreements on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots and called on all companies and countries interested in oil and gas exploration in the region to act with sensitivity and avoid harming efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem under UN auspices.