Foreign Minister Nami: Political Rights Cannot Be Matter Of Negotiation

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami referring to the new Greek Cypriot scenarios which envisaged giving political rights to Turkish Cypriots in exchange of territory, stressed that Turkish Cypriots already had vested political rights, thus these rights could not be matter of negotiation.

Speaking to Cyprus Turkish News Agency (TAK) on Friday (20 September) about the negotiation process, Foreign Minister Nami stated that the Greek Cypriot side’s statements to the effect that all issues were open to discussion, could have a negative effect on the negotiations. Nami pointed out that convergences and the phase where the negotiations were left should be identified for the two sides to continue with the negotiations.

Reminding that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis won the elections by criticizing the former leader Christofias, Özdil Nami said what were said during the election period should be left behind and the existing convergences should be maintained.

Underlining that the United Nations also had an important role in respect to the resumption of the negotiations from where they were left, Foreign Minister Nami said both the Turkish Cypriot people and the Greek Cypriot people should encourage their leaders towards resuming the negotiations as soon as possible.

Stating that the issue of Maraş (Varosha) was part of a comprehensive settlement, Nami said Maraş could be discussed within the context of the territorial adjustment, for this reason, it should not be held separated from a comprehensive settlement.

Expressing his government’s desire to take an active role in the negotiation process and that they were in consultation with President Eroğlu, Foreign Minister Nami said, since they took office, he has been regularly coming together with President Eroğlu and exchanging views on the Cyprus issue.

Foreign Minister Nami: Political Rights Cannot Be Matter Of Negotiation

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami referring to the new Greek Cypriot scenarios which envisaged giving political rights to Turkish Cypriots in exchange of territory, stressed that Turkish Cypriots already had vested political rights, thus these rights could not be matter of negotiation.

Speaking to Cyprus Turkish News Agency (TAK) on Friday (20 September) about the negotiation process, Foreign Minister Nami stated that the Greek Cypriot side’s statements to the effect that all issues were open to discussion, could have a negative effect on the negotiations. Nami pointed out that convergences and the phase where the negotiations were left should be identified for the two sides to continue with the negotiations.

Reminding that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis won the elections by criticizing the former leader Christofias, Özdil Nami said what were said during the election period should be left behind and the existing convergences should be maintained.

Underlining that the United Nations also had an important role in respect to the resumption of the negotiations from where they were left, Foreign Minister Nami said both the Turkish Cypriot people and the Greek Cypriot people should encourage their leaders towards resuming the negotiations as soon as possible.

Stating that the issue of Maraş (Varosha) was part of a comprehensive settlement, Nami said Maraş could be discussed within the context of the territorial adjustment, for this reason, it should not be held separated from a comprehensive settlement.

Expressing his government’s desire to take an active role in the negotiation process and that they were in consultation with President Eroğlu, Foreign Minister Nami said, since they took office, he has been regularly coming together with President Eroğlu and exchanging views on the Cyprus issue.

Foreign Minister Nami To Go To New York

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami will go to New York with President Derviş Eroğlu and his accompanying delegation in order to attend the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly. The delegation will leave the TRNC on Sunday (22 September).

President Eroğlu and Foreign Minister Nami will hold contacts with officials from the UN, from various countries and international organizations.

The Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis will also be in New York next week.

Apostolos Andreas Monastery To Be Restored

Turkish Cypriot Evkaf Administration signed a protocol  with United Nations Development Programme-Partnership for the Future (UNDP-PFF) for the restoration of the Apostolos Andreas Monastery

The restoration project which costs 5 million Euros will be realized under the supervision of UNDP-PFF, according to the study carried out by Greece University of Patras and under the rules determined by Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.

Speaking at the signing ceremony UNDP-PFF representative Tiziana Zennaro said that they were glad to be part of such a project and they would continue to embrace cultural heritage of Cyprus in cooperation.

For his part, Turkish Cypriot Evkaf Administration Director İbrahim Benter stated that they were glad to be a part of restoration of Apostolos Andreas Monastery which was a part of Cypriot culture and it was Evkaf Administration’s tradition to embrace such projects. Benter also added that Evkaf Administration has been protecting cultural heritage since the Ottoman times.

It was also reported that another agreement regarding the restoration of Apostolos Andreas Monastery was signed between UNDP-PFF and the Church of Cyprus.

According to the Greek Cypriot press, Greek Cypriot Archbishop Hristostomos II. who was also present at the signing ceremony, expressed his appreciation.

Foreign Minister Nami Meets With His Turkish Counterpart Davutoğlu

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on Saturday (14 September 2013) in İstanbul.

Speaking before the meeting, which took place at Hilton Hotel, Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoğlu stated that Turkey would always and under every circumstances be by the side of Turkish Cypriots as well as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Referring to his meeting last Friday (13 September) with  Alexander Downer, the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor  on Cyprus, Davutoğlu said they discussed the steps to be taken with regard to the negotiations and within this framework  his meeting with TRNC Foreign Minister was timely.

Expressing hope that also the Greek Cypriot side  would not miss this opportunity for reaching a settlement in Cyprus and  the belief  that  a comprehensive settlement would be possible, Davutoğlu said: “Republic of Turkey would always and under every circumstances be by the side of Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Your tranquility, peace, prosperity and security means ours. I hope that we can  reach  a comprehensive settlement together”.

Speaking for his part , TRNC   Foreign  Affairs Minister Özdil Nami  pointed out that he paid his first  visit  abroad to Turkey as part of a  tradition, which he was proud and pleased to continue.

Underlining that the existing close cooperation and collaboration  with Turkey would continue Nami said : “The Cyprus issue  has reached   a very critical turning point. The Turkish Cypriot people  is rightfully demanding their legitimate status in the world to be  clarified. This political uncertainty  should not continue. We have a strong  desire  to integrate  with the rest of  world. We want the international community  to pay  close attention to this desire.”

Foreign Minister Nami emphasizing that  the Turkish Cypriot people  have  done their utmost to  reach a settlement in Cyprus said, Turkey has  always been  supporting these efforts.

Pointing out that   the  Greek Cypriot side   with its “no” vote  for the comprehensive  UN settlement plan caused an uncertainty in Cyprus, he said:

“It is high time for us   to put an end  to  this  situation in cooperation.  We strongly support a federal  solution in Cyprus. All our efforts are  directed  towards  this goal however,  naturally, this can only be possible with a positive response of the Greek Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriot  side  should  do it’s part and carry out its responsibilities. Aware of its responsibility, UN  should also support our positive  efforts. I have no doubt that we shall take these efforts forward  with cooperation.”

Meanwhile, speaking to Turkish news agency (TAK) , following  an hour long meeting Nami said,  they exchanged  views  and  discussed the recent phase reached in the  Cyprus  negotiations  and   the path to  be  followed in particular. Stating that   they also discussed how to shape the cooperation through joint steps Nami said, on 22 December,  he would be in New York with  President  Derviş Eroğlu. Foreign Minister Nami said   Mr.  Davutoğlu would also be in New York with his delegation and they agreed to continue to exchange views there.

Responding to a question whether Maraş  (Varoşa) issue   was discussed during his meeting with Davutoğlu, Nami said: “Maraş  is not an   agenda  point for us. We are in full consensus with Turkey that Maraş is part of a comprehensive settlement.”

 

Foreign Minister Nami Receives Executive Committee Of NEI

Foreign Minister Özdil Nami received the Executive Committee of the Near East Institute which was established within the scope of the Near East University.

According to the statement of the Near East University, Institute Manager Assistant Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş, Deputy Managers Assistant Prof. Dr. Nur Köprülü and Academician Erhan Ayaz visited the Foreign Minister Nami yesterday.

Foreign Minister Nami: “Basis For Solution Is Clear…Process Cannot Be Shifted Out Of The Framework Drawn By The Annan Plan”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami underlined that the basis for a federal solution in Cyprus was clearly expressed in the related UN Security Council resolutions and that it could not be shifted out of the framework drawn by the Annan plan.

Foreign Minister Nami received a delegation from the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce (CTCC) on Friday (29 November). Speaking during the meeting, Foreign Minister Nami stated that the negotiations at leaders’ level could not yet be realized because of the Greek Cypriot side’s insistence on the issue of joint statement text.

“The studies on this joint statement text took longer than expected. The efforts have been continuing for more than two months in order to reach conciliation on a single-sheet. It’s time for this to be finalized”, Nami said.

Reiterating that the basis for a federal solution in Cyprus was clearly expressed in the related UN Security Council resolutions, Nami said it was not possible for any of the sides to act against this. Foreign Minister Nami noted that a joint statement text to come forward should remain loyal to this.

Continuing, Foreign Minister Nami said:

“Actually, what should be expressed in this joint statement text is clear. Certainly, none of the sides can drag the basis out of the framework determined by the Annan plan, which was approved by majority of the Turkish Cypriot people”.

Explaining that the federal structure to be established would have a single international identity and the sovereignty would equally arise from the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, Nami said besides the federal government, in this structure, there would be two founding states namely the Turkish Cypriot state and the Greek Cypriot state having equal status.

Nami also underlined that the settlement framework clearly defined in 23 May 2008 and 1 July 2008 agreements was also included in the related UN Security Council Resolutions. Stating that besides these agreements, the convergences reached during the negotiation process would be maintained and improved and the remaining divergences would be focused on, Nami said these were the facts that should be included in a joint statement text.

Foreign Minister Nami noted that in a possible federal solution the EU principles and norms would be valid throughout the island, but bi-communality and bi-zonality would be preserved.

Continuing Nami said:

“A joint statement text expressing that these principles would be respected, should be enough and this issue should be brought to an end as soon as possible. A federal solution, which is necessary for both peoples, should definitely be achieved. This is important both for the island and the region”.

Pointing out that the Republic of Turkey was giving a full support on this issue; Nami said the Cyprus problem should be solved without further delay. He added that: “We have reached the final phase on the project of bringing water from Turkey. Perhaps, electricity will also come from Turkey in the near future. Why not turn these into peace projects and contribute to overcome the economic problems faced by both sides of the island”.

Foreign Minister Nami pointed out that besides Islamic countries the Foreign Ministry was also carrying out studies in support of the works of the NGOs for developing economic relations with other countries.

Pointing out that he recently attended the 21st Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), where the Turkish Cypriot side was received at a very high level, Nami said there are important potentials for the TRNC economy under the umbrella of Islamic Development Organization and Islamic Cooperation Organization.

Nami said: “This potential is not only limited to the education sector. There are import-export opportunities in many fields, primarily in the food sector. We started the necessary initiatives with the counties we established contact to send us their high-level officials. I don’t have any doubt that these initiatives would bear fruit in the future”.

Stating that they have started regular meetings with the nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) due to the importance given to information sharing and coordination Nami said, this should become a norm and there should be more permanent and intensive information exchange between the government and the NGOs.

Nami stated that the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce (CTCC), whose activities were closely followed by the Ministry, has longstanding corporate relations with the EU.  Nami added that the CTCC, which is closely related with many aspects of both the Green Line Regulation and Financial Aid Regulation, played a vital role in the efforts to improve and expand the scope of the Green Line Regulation.

Nami praised the CTCC for doing its part for supporting activities in this respect.

The chairman of the CTCC, Günay Çerkez said they visited the Foreign Ministry to give information about their activities which the Ministry closely follows and to learn about the latest developments on the Cyprus negotiation process.

Çerkez stated that between 12-15 November 2013, a delegation from the Chamber paid a visit to Brussels and held meetings with many EU officials, in particular with Stephan Füle the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy.

Pointing out that in the last one and a half years the CTCC has taken important initiatives in Islamic countries, Çerkez said they held close contacts especially with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Çerkez added that within the framework of the cooperation with the Islamic countries, a conference was held in the TRNC, last week.

Pointing out that the Cyprus issue is passing through an important phase, Çerkez said they closely follow the initiatives taken towards finding a final solution to the Cyprus problem.