FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI’S PRESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK...

AVCI: “a new InItIatIve ýs not expected from the Un on the Cyprus Issue before next February, when the PresIdentIal electIons wIll be held In South Cyprus”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý said that a new initiative was not expected from the United Nations on the Cyprus issue before next February, when the Presidential elections will be held in South Cyprus.

Foreign Minister Avcý held a press conference on Tuesday (2 October) at Turkish House (Turkevi) in New York in order to evaluate his contacts before returning to the TRNC.

Avcý also gave information about his contacts in Italy and the UK before going to New York.

Referring to the recent developments in relations between the TRNC and Syria, Foreign Minister Avcý said the ferry services, which started between the two countries, would soon be two-times a week.

Reminding that during his contacts in Italy two Italian Radical Party (TRP) members Maurizio Turco and Marco Perduca had acquired TRNC citizenship, Avcý said they had very fruitful contacts especially with TRP members in Italy.

 

Pointing out those TRP members who acquired TRNC citizenship said: “From now on, every attack against the TRNC is an attack also against us”, Avcý said this was very important. Responding to a question, Avcý said they expected more openings towards the TRNC from the EU countries such as the UK, Sweden and Italy.

Stating that the EU was fed up of Greek Cypriot administration’s spoilt attitude and wanted to say “stop” to its intransigent stance, Avcý said the EU thought the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation would be difficult.

In response to a question asked whether the USA would react to the relations between the TRNC and Syria, Foreign Minister said: “Greek Cypriot administration had 30-years long relations with Syria and they haven’t faced any reaction until today”.

Explaining that the TRNC wanted to develop relations with every country, Avcý said the relations with the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) as well as its member countries had been improved recently. Avcý said that he would deliver a speech at the OIC Foreign Ministers Coordination Meeting, where Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan would also be present. He added that the opening of TRNC representative offices in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman, which are the members of the OIC, was a very positive development and reminded that OIC Youth Forum was held in Kyrenia, in the TRNC.

Foreign Minister Avcý pointed out that he met with the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe, where they evaluated the 5 September process.

Responding to a question, Avcý reminded that President Mehmet Ali Talat would meet with UN Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon on 16 October and said referendum on the Annan plan, 8 July and 5 September processes are expected to be discussed during this meeting.

Continuing, Foreign Minister Avcý said:

“As you know, Presidential elections will be held in South Cyprus in 2008. In this atmosphere, it seems like South Cyprus will not take any move or come to the table for negotiations. We said this before, when Papadopoulos requested to meet with President Talat. His move was directly aimed at internal politics. Therefore, the UN could take a new initiative after February 2008. The UN should undertake this responsibility.”

Also referring to his meeting with Turkish Cypriots living in New York, Avcý said people he met there were living with nationalist feelings of the years of 1960s and 1970s.

Avcý reminded that Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan would come to the TRNC today (4 October) and said he would also meet with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Representative as soon as he arrived at the TRNC.

 

JOAN RYEN RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT TALAT

Britain’s Special Representative for Cyprus Joan Ryan was received by President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday (3 October).  Presidency’s Undersecretary Rasit Pertev and British High Commissioner Peter Millet were also present at the meeting.

No statement was issued before and after the meeting, which took place at the TRNC Presidency.

 

Before meeting with President Talat, Ryen met with Speaker of the Greek Cypriot Parliament and presidential candidate Dimitris Hristofias.

 

NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS TO THE IMMOVABLE PROPERTY COMMISSION IS 257...21 CASES CONCLUDED...

While the number of Greek Cypriots who have applied to the TRNC Immovable Property Commission has reached 257, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is expected to deliver its verdict in the case filed by Greek Cypriot Mike Timvios in the coming days.

Despite having an application before the ECHR, Mike Timvios had also applied to the Immovable Property Commission in the TRNC and accepted an offer made by the Commission to exchange his property in the North with a Turkish Cypriot who had left property of a similar value in the South.

If accepted by the ECHR, the deal reached between Mr. Timvios and the TRNC Immovable Property Commission will strengthen the credibility of the Commission as an adequate domestic remedy for property disputes as well as set a precedent for future cases.

The Commission has so far settled 21 of the 257 outstanding applications.

Commission’s officials explained that 21 of the files were concluded and the studies for other files were continuing. They said 3 out of 21 concluded files were resulted in the decision to return properties, 2 of them to be exchanged and the rest to be paid compensation. 2 out of 3 properties, which were decided to be returned, are in Tatlisu and the other one in Ziyamet. 2 cases, which the Commission decided on the exchange of properties after the two parties mutually agreed, belong to Mike Timvios.

 

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER BABACAN ARRIVES IN THE TRNC

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan who came to the TRNC today for a one day visit will meet with President Mehmet Ali Talat and state and government officials where they would exchange views on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue.

Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan and his delegation upon their arrival in the TRNC at 12 pm will visit the tomb of Turkish Cypriot Leader for Freedom Dr. Fazýl Kucuk and then will be received by President Talat. This will be followed by meetings between the delegations. At the end of the meetings, a joint press conference will be held at 2:20 pm.

Later, Babacan will be received by the Speaker of the Parliament Fatma Ekenoglu and Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer. Then, he will visit Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý and the First President Rauf R. Denktas.

His program will continue with visits to Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces and Security Forces.

Following his visit to Bogaz Martyrdom and the dinner Babacan will leave the TRNC.