Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý, who is continuing his contacts in Ankara, met with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul yesterday (22 February).

The meeting took place in the Turkish Foreign Ministry first between Avcý and Gul and followed by a meeting between the working committees of the two foreign ministries.

Following the meeting, Foreign Minister Avcý made an evaluation in a press conference.

Explaining that a meeting held between the working committees was previously planned, Avcý said the issues such as the EU, OIC, Direct Trade Regulation and Petrol were continuously on the top of the agenda of both foreign ministers.

Touching upon the oil crisis, the Foreign Minister complained that the Greek Cypriot administration was continuing the same stance it has been adopting on the issue for years and added that the Greek Cypriot leader Papadopoulos and his administration which were illegitimate and did not represent the whole of Cyprus were trying to create a new crisis.

Avcý reiterated that the signing of an agreement that did not include the Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriot administration, which did not have the right to speak on behalf of the whole island, was unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side.

Continuing, Foreign Minister Avcý said: “Greek Cypriot administration does not have the right to speak on behalf of the whole island. It is an illegitimate administration only representing the Greek Cypriots. Any agreement that does not have the Turkish Cypriot side’s approval or signature could not be valid. We are very determined on this issue. As stated by the Turkish Foreign Ministry in its previous statements, there is convergence on all policy areas between the TRNC and Turkey.”

Avcý added that the issue of petrol was very serious and important and called upon the Greek Cypriot administration to consider this issue seriously.

Underlining that both Turkey and the TRNC had rights in the region, Avcý expressed hope that the Greek Cypriot administration would not go further on this issue.

Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot side had always favoured a peaceful solution to this issue, Avcý said the calls made to the Greek Cypriot side were to stop the research studies and that the Turkish Cypriots were determined on the preservation of their rights.

Avcý also reiterated that the TRNC Foreign Ministry would continue to explain to the world the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and that the Greek Cypriot administration did not represent the whole island.

Referring to the Direct Trade Regulation, Foreign Minister Avcý stressed it was unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side to export its goods to the EU through the ports in South Cyprus as desired by the Greek Cypriots, saying that their demand towards the opening of TRNC ports to direct trade was continuing. Avcý added that Turkey and TRNC Foreign Ministries shared the same position on this issue.

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Rene van der Linden speaking at a press conference following the completion of his contacts in Cyprus said: “We should take the 8^th July agreement very seriously. It is not understandable why any progress couldn’t be achieved up until today regarding the agreement.”

Pointing to the fact that in the “agreement” it was stated that the existing situation could not be accepted, Linden called upon both leaders in Cyprus to take generous steps again.

Requesting from both sides not to create any arguments and excuses regarding the opening of the Lokmacý Gate, Linden said this would be for the benefit of the two peoples. He encouraged both sides to continue to open new border gates.

Linden expressed hope that the reunification procedure would be taken further in cooperation with the European Parliament.

Linden stressed that he wanted the TRNC Universities to the included in the Bologna Process, which was aimed at identifying a framework for the functioning and diploma equivalence of the higher education institutions, signed by 29 Education Ministers of both EU member states and other countries in June 1999. Addressing to the Greek Cypriot side Linden said:

“I call you to invest in the human item in North Cyprus and strengthen this item. This could be through the universities. Include the universities of North Cyprus in Bologna Process. I know the arguments about why this is difficult. But this would be an indication of good will and contribute to confidence building measures.”

Citizens are more important than the state… University students are the best investment in each society. I invite you to show good intention on this issue. The goodness of humanity and human relations are very important.”

The Head of Religious Affairs Department Ahmet Yonluer and Archbishop Chrisostomos met in the presence of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Rene van der Linden in Ledra Palace on Wednesday (21 February). Following the meeting, a joint statement was made yesterday.

According to the statement, Yonluer and Hrisostomos agreed to take practical steps to promote respect for places of worship in all parts of the island including efforts to ensure the restoration of these places.