FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS
IN UGANDA
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Turgay Avcý, who is in Ugandan capital Kampala for the 35th
session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic
Conference, is having bilateral discussions with foreign ministers of the
OIC member countries.
Foreign Minister Avcý met with his Nigerian counterpart
Tiyani Kaura.
During their discussions, the two Foreign Ministers
agreed to expand existing cooperation between the two countries in the field
of higher education to other fields.
Reminding that there are more than one thousand Nigerian
students studying at the TRNC universities, Foreign Minister Avcý requested
a joint work to be carried out with Nigeria for increasing this number.
Expressing pleasure for this, Nigerian Foreign Minister Kaura said this
cooperation could expand to other fields such as sports and culture.
During the meeting where the Cyprus issue was also among
the issues discussed between the two ministers, Kaura told Avcý that his
country would follow the developments concerning the Cyprus issue more
closely and would show sensitivity to the issue both at the United Nations
and the OIC.
Speaking following the meeting, Foreign Minister Avcý
stating that the relations between the TRNC and Nigeria would continue to
improve, said the meeting was very fruitful.
Later, Foreign Minister Avcý met the head of the
delegation from Oman Said Ali Salim Al-Kalbani. Foreign Minister Avcý
pointed out that him and Kalbani have agreed on the continuation of
improving relations between the TRNC and Oman. Referring to the preparations
for opening a TRNC representative office in Oman, Avcý said they also agreed
on to carry out mutual visits between the two countries in the near future.
IHSANOGLU: “CYPRUS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT FOR THE
OIC”
Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanođlu stressing that the Cyprus issue was
important for the OIC expressed the OIC’s support to a solution in Cyprus.
In an opening address at the 35th session of
the Council of Foreign Ministers yesterday (19 June), Ihsanođlu stated that
the OIC is closely following the new process launched in Cyprus with the aim
of bringing about a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.
He also expressed satisfaction over improving relations
between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and OIC member countries.
ZERIHOUN: “SOLUTION IN CYPRUS HAS COME WITHIN
REACH”
The UN Special Representative to Cyprus and UNFICYP
(United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus) Chief of Mission Taye Brook
Zerihoun stated that a solution in Cyprus has come within reach.
Speaking during an UNFICYP’s medal ceremony, Zerihoun
stated that the determination of the two leaders towards a solution in
Cyprus and the progress achieved by the working groups and technical
committees for preparing the ground for full-fledged negotiations were the
main factors which show that a solution in Cyprus has come within reach.
Explaining that the progress achieved in the last couple
of months has boosted the hopes for a solution, Zerihoun said however it was
not certain whether a comprehensive settlement would be achieved because
there was still a long way to go.
Pointing out that the UN would continue to support the
two sides for reaching a successful result at the end of the process,
Zerihoun said the UN was very encouraged by the agreements reached between
the two leaders on the 21st of March and the 23rd of
May where the two leaders have agreed on a united Cyprus.
