Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs who is continuing his contacts in the US, on Wednesday (28 March) met with the U.S. State Department’s Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried in Washington.

During the meeting, which took place at Fried’s office, Foreign Minister Avcý welcomed the positive steps taken by the United States for the Turkish Cypriot people after the 2004 Referendum in Cyprus and expressed his expectations from Washington to take more concrete steps towards the lifting of the international isolation.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that any steps to be taken by the United States would be very important as they would open the way for other countries to follow suit and added that the Turkish Cypriot people had fulfilled its responsibilities towards a solution in Cyprus.

Stating that no positive results were achieved at the talks that have been going on between the two sides as a result of the Greek Cypriots’ intransigent stance, Avcý said the aim of the Greek Cypriots was to sabotage the Direct Trade Regulation.

 Reminding that the EU failed to keep the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriot people before the referendum, Foreign Minister Avcý said although three years had passed they did not see any openings from the EU and stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people were ready for a comprehensive and bi-communal settlement based on the political equality of the two peoples.

Referring to the issue of Lokmacý (Ledra Street) border gate, Avcý said the gate should be opened under the same conditions, which implemented in opening the other gates.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Avcý speaking at a program on the Voice of America, pointed to the fact that the world’s only problem was not Cyprus and added that the Turkish Cypriots should open to the world and explain the realities in the island.

Explaining that within the framework of his contacts he met with the US Congressmen and discussed the recent developments in Cyprus and expressed the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot people, Avcý said he especially requested from the US to take more initiatives for making more openings towards the Turkish Cypriots.

Also touching upon the oil crises, Foreign Minister Avcý said Papadopoulos was continuing to act as “the sole owner of the island” and stressed that the neighbouring countries should help to maintain the stability and to prevent the increasing of the tension in the region.

Avcý stated that the sole purpose of the Greek Cypriots was to drive the Turkish Cypriots into a corner, but the Turkish Cypriots would not let this happen.

Ambassadors of the Five Permanent members of the UN Security Council in Cyprus called for a rapid implementation of the 8 July agreement and progress towards a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus under the UN supervision.

According to the written statement issued by the British High Commission, the ambassadors expressed their concern regarding the problems emerged in the process of resuming the negotiations on the basis of the 8^th July agreement and the suggestions made by the former UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari in November.

They recalled that over a year had passed in which the sides, under the auspices of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, had worked diligently towards reaching an understanding and encouraged both leaders to continue to show bold political will and to capitalize on the positive momentum which had been created, by engaging immediately in the 8 July process.

They also reaffirmed their readiness to contribute to reach a lasting and comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

Speaking to the Cyprus Turkish News Agency (TAK), Presidential Spokesman Hasan Ercakica pointed out that President Mehmet Ali Talat had welcomed the said statement.

Ercakica said: “Our President is pleased with the interest shown by five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council to the Turkish Cypriot side’s sensitivity and with the fact that they emphasized the need for reaching a comprehensive settlement.”

It is well known that the negative position employed by the Greek Cypriot side concerning the 8 July process led to the interruption of the process and the need for a reevaluation.

The recent statements of the Greek Cypriot leaders have also confirmed that this reevaluation was necessary.

The Greek Cypriot leader has gone too far in stating that they have decided to reject all the plans, prepared with the aim of reaching a settlement, together with Greece.

Saying “Turkey cannot be a full member to the EU unless the Cyprus Issue is settled”, Greek Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lillikas has personally revealed the strategy they have been pursuing for a long time to the whole world.

The strategy employed by the Greek Cypriot side is to leave the Cyprus Issue in a deadlock and during this time, exploit the membership process of Turkey against the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey. Given that there is such a strategy employed by the Greek Cypriot side, it definitely cannot be expected from us to ignore it.

The Turkish Cypriot side, continuing to reevaluate the 8 July process, will convey all the conclusions that will be reached to all the relevant parties. However, the relevant parties that support reaching a peaceful settlement for the Cyprus Issue via negotiations should be aware of the fact that, unless the Greek Cypriot strategy uttered personally by Mr. Papadopoulos and Mr. Lillikas is hindered, neither the 8 July process nor any other similar process would be effective, and that they should also contribute to the efforts to hinder such strategies.

The Greek Cypriot leadership has to accept the fact that Turkish Cypriots have the same equal political rights as the Greek Cypriots, they have earned these rights as a result of their struggle and a settlement that is to be reached will not be founded on the rights that will be granted by the Greek Cypriot Administration. The settlement of the Cyprus Issue is only possible through an agreement that will emerge as the will of two peoples and we are determined to work to that end.

 “The genius of Leonardo”, the world’s largest interactive exhibition of Leonardo Da Vinci’s inventions will be put on display in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The exhibition contains 40 all-functioning, life-sized machines that were built after in-depth study of Leonardo Da Vinci’s designs, by a group of scientists and skilled craftsmen.

Following Turkey and Greece, the TRNC is the third destination country where the world’s largest interactive exhibition is being opened.

The exhibition is going to be brought to North Cyprus under the organization of the Near East University and with the contributions of Ministry of National Education and Culture, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Lefkosa Turkish Municipality and North Cyprus TURKCELL.