OIC SECRETARY-GENERAL
IHSANOGLU: “ISLAMIC COUNTRIES HAVE TAKEN SOME STEPS FOR THE
LIFTING OF TURKISH CYPRIOTS’ ISOLATION”
Secretary-General of the Organization of
Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stated that
the Islamic countries have taken some steps within the
framework of the OIC for the lifting of the unjust and
inhuman embargoes imposed upon the TRNC.
Speaking to the Anatolian News Agency
(AA) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu reminded that the TRNC government
has started to open representative offices in several
Islamic countries and it has also started to trade with
these countries, the ferryboat services started between the
TRNC and Syria and some significant developments took place
with regard to the issue of visa between some Islamic
countries and the TRNC.
FERRYBOAT SERVICES TO LAKATIA
IS TO START
Ferryboat services between the TRNC and
Syria are going to start on the eve of Ramadan Bayram.
Akgunler Shipping Agency will organize nonscheduled services
on the eve (Thursday) of Ramadan Bayram and on its third day
(Sunday). Scheduled ferry services will start on 18 October
and will be on Thursdays and Saturdays.
According to the information received
from the Akgunler Shipping Agency, nonscheduled services for
the Ramadan Bayram will depart from Famagusta port at 9 am
and on the same day it will depart from Latakia at 4 pm.
The Agency noted that people could enter
Syria with a TRNC passport and a visa. TRNC citizens, who
choose to buy packed tours organized by Akgunler Shipping
Agency, would be able to enter Syria without a visa.
People would be able to get a visa at the
entry points of the country.
EP RAPPORTEUR EWA KLAMT:
“DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISSUE OF MISSING PERSONS ARE POSITIVE”
European Parliament Rapporteur German MEP
Ewa Klamt came to the island for an on-site inspection of
the studies regarding the missing persons in Cyprus, for
having contacts with NGOs and relatives of the missing
persons and later presenting a report on the issue to the
European Parliament. Klamt stated that as long as the issue
of missing persons continued, the Cyprus problem could not
be solved.
Pointing out that she believed the
progress achieved on missing persons were the first steps
taken in the right direction, Klamt said completion of the
studies on missing persons would contribute to the solution
of the Cyprus problem.
Stating that an important progress has
been achieved on the issue of missing persons in Cyprus,
Klamt said however it would take a long time to conclude the
issue. Stressing that the studies should speed up, Klamt
said her impression was very positive with regard to the
ongoing studies. Klamt gave a message that in her report to
be presented to the European Parliament she would propose
the acceleration of the studies and to provide financial aid
for the studies. After completing her investigation and
contacts, Klamt left the island on Thursday (4 October).
