TOROS 2007 MILITARY EXERCISE CARRIED OUT

The Toros-2007 Military Exercise, which was executed under the command of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces and Security Forces yesterday (8 November), was completed successfully in Beykoy.

Speaking during the last phase of the Exercise, President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the Turkish Cypriots wanted peace and to preserve peace, adding that the Exercise carried out was a “peace preserving exercise”.

Pointing out that Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces and Security Forces would take an action in case of any threat against the Turkish Cypriots; President Talat said however they did not have any purpose to attack.

Explaining that in the Exercise, Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces and Security Forces together displayed their means and capacity, Talat said: “This Exercise has proved that any threat against the Turkish Cypriots’ security would be easily eliminated”.

 

FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI RECEIVED SHEIKH KAMEL

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý yesterday received the President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdullah Kamel and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting the ways of increasing the volume of trade between the TRNC and OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) member countries and starting studies for exporting TRNC goods to the OIC countries were amongst the issues discussed.

The issue of establishing closer relations between the TRNC Chambers of Commerce and Industry and commercial institutions affiliated to the OIC were also taken up during the meeting.

The delegations also discussed the technical support which will be given by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the international forum to be held in the TRNC in spring 2008 entitled ‘Development of Tourism in the Islamic World’ as well as the invitations to be sent to tourism agencies operating in OIC member countries.

 

COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED BETWEEN THE TURKISH CYPRIOT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ISLAMIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

According to the written statement issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCA) cooperation protocol was signed yesterday between the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCA). President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Erdil Nami and the President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdullah Kamel signed the protocol.

Speaking during the meeting, Sheikh Saleh pointed out that their visit to the TRNC was aimed at further improving commercial relations between the TRNC and Islamic countries.

For his part, Erdil Nami thanking Sheikh Saleh and his delegation for their visit stated that the protocol signed would contribute to the economy of North Cyprus.

According to the written statement issued by the TCCA, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to:

“Strengthen cooperative relations and promote economic and trade ties between the Turkish Cypriot State and the Islamic World;

Enhance bilateral economic activities between the Turkish Cypriot State and the Islamic World;

Promote business and trade relations between the parties and members of the parties.

Promote achievement of the goal agreed in the Article 7 of the Final Declaration of the 2^nd International Islamic Economic, Cultural and Tourism Conference held in Bangkok, which declares that “The conference calls for all the Muslim brother states and the international community to take all necessary steps to lift the economic, cultural and political isolation as well as to restore the basic human rights of the Turkish State of Cyprus, so as to encourage them to play an active role in economic cooperation among member states”, and especially promote the launch of direct flights to/ from Ercan Airport in accordance with this article.

The scope of this Memorandum of Understanding shall include the paragraphs indicated below:

Parties shall exchange information concerning their markets and investment environments for their respective members.

Parties shall exchange economic and trade information, carry out market surveys and promote their markets to enhance trade activities between the two sides.

TCCC shall provide trade and investment related information and assistance to the ICCI in finding potential business partners for their respective members, and facilitate their respective members in doing business in the Turkish Cypriot State.

ICCI shall introduce the economic and trade potential to the members of the TCCC and business community in the Turkish Cypriot State by facilitating them in participation to activities such as meetings, seminars, , study visits, training and exchange programs, and keep them informed on funding, grants and financial support opportunities provided by the Islamic Institutions.”