The Cyprus Rapporteur of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (COREPER) Joachim Hörster, who came to the TRNC in order to carry out various contacts, has met with state and government officials and representatives of NGOs.

Hörster was first received by President Mehmet Ali Talat at the Presidential Palace yesterday morning (16 June) and then by Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Speaker of the TRNC Parliament Fatma Ekenoglu.

Speaking during the meeting which took place at the TRNC Parliament Fatma Ekenoglu expressed satisfaction over the presence of a Turkish Cypriot representative at the Council of Europe and added that work has been continuing on the representation of North Cyprus at the European Union.

On the UN Secretary General’s latest report on Cyprus which refers to the “sense of isolation felt by the Turkish Cypriot community”, Ekenoglu said “isolation is well beyond a feeling. It is a reality being faced in all fields of the life”.

She added that the Council of Europe was also aware of the isolation imposed on North Cyprus.

Calling on the Council of Europe to direct the European Union towards lifting the isolation on the Turkish Cypriot people, she said `we expect the Council to prepare a good and balanced report`.

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer before the meeting with Hörster told reporters that he would reiterate the Turkish Cypriot People’s support to a comprehensive and permanent solution on the island during the meeting.

For his part Joachim Hörster stated that the Council will continue to work towards realizing a `united Cyprus` as desired by the EU.

The German Rapporteur also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý at the Parliament building.

Speaking prior to the meeting, Foreign Minister Avcý pointed out that Hörster’s visit was very important because he will prepare a report on Cyprus and submit it to the COREPER.

Explaining that during the meeting he would mention the recent referendum signed between the Greek Cypriot side and the UK as well as the joint military exercise carried out by the Greek Cypriot side, Greece and France despite the goodwill put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side Avcý said he would also touch upon the Greek Cypriot administration’s latest attempt to intervene in the frequencies of Turkish and Turkish Cypriot channels.

Pointing out that he would ask support for the TRNC’s membership to the European Parliament and the lifting of the Turkish Cypirots’ isolation in line with the EU’s decision taken in 2004 Avcý said they would also exchange views with Hörster on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem.

Foreign Minister Avcý said he would reiterate the Turkish Cypriot side’s position towards the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of two constituent states, bi-communality, political equality of the two peoples and continuation of Turkey’s guarantee.

Hörster also held discussions with officials from the Republican Turkish Party, the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Communal Democracy Party deputy Mustafa Akinci and visited the Eastern Mediterranean University.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý left the TRNC last night (16 June) for the Ugandan capital Kampala to attend the 35^th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

The three day session of the Council of Foreign Ministers will start tomorrow (18 June).

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Avcý will inform the OIC foreign ministers on the latest developments with regard to the Cyprus problem and reiterate his call for the lifting of the Turkish Cypriot people’s isolation.

Foreign Minister Avcý will have bilateral discussions with foreign ministers of OIC member countries and the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

Meanwhile, a TRNC delegation, which includes businessmen, will also attend the OIC Business Forum.

The Forum was organized jointly by the Ugandan Government, the OIC Secretariat and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The event was organized under the theme “Discover the Resources and High Potential of the African Market.”

Avcý and his accompanying delegation are expected to return to the TRNC on Sunday (22 June).

The EU has adopted amendments to the Green Line Regulation which provides for special rules concerning goods, services and persons crossing the line between North and South Cyprus.

According to the statement issued by the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council: “The amendments focus on three measures and aim at enhancing trade and economic integration on the island on the basis of the experience gained so far.

In more detail, the duties on agricultural products originating in ‘the areas’ (the areas in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control) are lifted thus avoiding cumbersome procedures. Furthermore, the temporary introduction of goods (for up to six months) from 'the areas', into the areas, in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus exercises effective control, is regulated in a transparent way. This should encourage the provision of services by companies established in 'the areas' across the Line, facilitate participation in trade fairs or similar events and also permit the repair of equipment in areas in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus exercises effective control. Finally, the total value of goods contained in the personal luggage of persons crossing the Line is substantially increased from 135 € to 260 € so as to encourage economic interaction on the island.