North Cyprus Property - TRNC News Archive

NORTH CYPRUS NEWS - JULY 2011

NEWS THIS WEEK - 25 JULY 2011
Cyprus Talks...
The two Cyprus Leaders held the first of their 19 planned full-day meetings on 25 July in the UN Protected Area. They discussed a number of issues within the governance and power-sharing chapter.  Lisa M. Buttenheim,  the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Cyprus, noted that the meeting had been held in a “positive atmosphere” and announced that the Leaders would continue discussions on governance and power-sharing at their next meeting scheduled for Friday, 29 July. The Leaders agreed that during this intensified phase ensuring confidentiality about their discussions will be a pre-condition for progress.

In Turkey...
İstanbul is likely to enter the race for the 2020 Olympics, Uğur Erdener, President of Turkey's Olympic Committee said on 24 July. "There is a general agreement" to launch İstanbul's fifth bid for the Olympics after failed attempts in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. "An announcement would be made in the coming days," he added.   Rome, Madrid and Tokyo have already announced bids. Other potential candidates include Doha, Qatar, Dubai and United Arab Emirates.

Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, speaking at the opening ceremony of the European Youth Olympic Festival in the Black Sea port city of Trabzon, said Turkey wanted to host more international events.  The EYOF is the biggest Olympic event hosted in Turkey and is expected to showcase the country's ability to host major international sporting events.

A Turkish archaeology team has taken over excavations in the ancient city of Xanthos due to the slow progress under the guidance of French teams. The ancient site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988.

State Visit to UK - President Abdullah Gül will pay a State Visit to the UK with his wife, Hayrünnisa Gül, at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II during November 22-24, a statement issued by the Queen's press secretary has announced.

WEEK 18 JULY 2011
Cyprus Talks ...
The two Cyprus Leaders met in the UN Protected Area on 19 July and agreed to intensify the talks.  This was their first meeting since they met with Ban Ki-moon in Geneva on 7 July.  The Leaders agreed to a series of intensive, all-day meetings that will begin on 25 July and continue until 21 October.  Speaking to press after the meeting, Alexander Downer, the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, said: “There will be, in total, 19 all-day meetings of intensive negotiations which will cover all of the chapters, all of the core issues which are part of these negotiations.  We, at the UN, look forward to this being a very constructive period of negotiations.”

Also this week, EU Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, appointed Jorge César das Neves as his new personal Representative to the Good Offices Mission of the UN in Cyprus.  César das Neves succeeds Leopold Maurer who had been the envoy since 2009. Cesar das Neves will work on a full-time basis to provide advice to the UN Good Offices Mission on EU-related matters.

TRNC News ...
The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will visit the TRNC this week.  He will arrive on Tuesday and will attend the ‘Peace and Freedom Day’ Celebrations on 20 July.  During his visit, PM Erdoğan will meet with TRNC President, Derviş Eroğlu, and Prime Minister, İrsen Küçük.  He is also expected to attend various inauguration ceremonies.   In line with diplomatic convention, this will be PM Erdoğan’s first visit abroad as head of the new government in Turkey. 

The TRNC starts supplying electricity to South Cyprus ...The two sides in Cyprus have reached a deal on electricity transmission whereby the Cyprus-Turkish Electricity Authority will supply electricity to South Cyprus. The South side is experiencing widespread power cuts following the explosion which occurred near its largest power plant on 11 July. The transmission started on 17 July when 16 mega watts were transmitted.  TRNC Economy & Energy Minister, Sonat Atun, said that a single tariff will be applied on electricity consumption in the South and the electricity transmission will continue until the 31 August but may be extended further if requested by the Greek-Cypriot side.   Minister Atun affirmed the Cyprus-Turkish side’s goodwill and said that the electricity rates will be kept to a minimum level. 

NEWS THIS WEEK - 11 JULY 2011
TRNC News...
The TRNC President, Derviş Eroğlu, travelled to Brussels on 12 July for talks with EU authorities on the outcome of the recent Geneva summit and to discuss the lifting of the embargoes imposed on the Turkish- Cypriots.   President Eroglu will meet with the Head of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, on 13 July and Stefan Fule, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy on 14 July.  President Eroglu will return to the TRNC on 15 July. 

Cyprus Talks ...
TRNC Presidential Spokesman, Osman Ertuğ, announced that the Cyprus- Turkish side was ready to enter a process of give-and-take as talks intensify in the coming months. “We need to bring the process to a stage where we can see whether or not a solution is possible before we head off to New York” the Spokesman said. Evaluating the Cyprus negotiations process, the Presidential Spokesman said that the goal to achieving an agreement by the end of the year and holding a referendum in the first half of 2012 was a realistic expectation. Ertuğ said that the UN Secretary-General has pushed the button at the Geneva summit for the process to conclude the Cyprus problem. Reiterating the UN Head′s call to the two sides to intensify talks and try to agree on main issues before their next tripartite meeting in New York in October, Ertuğ said the Turkish-Cypriot side would do its best to realise such a suggestion.  The Presidential Spokesman also reminded that the EU, as well as the international community, had a responsibility to press the Greek-Cypriot side to adopt a more flexible stance at the talks.

In Cyprus...
The TRNC was quick to offer assistance to the Greek-Cypriot side following the devastating explosion at the Evangelos Florakis naval base near Zygi in South Cyprus on 11 July.  President Eroglu said that helping the Greek-Cypriot Administration was an act of humanity and the TRNC has offered to provide medical assistance as well as electricity power if requested. The head of Greek Cypriot navy, Andreas Ioannides, was among those killed in the explosion and the Commander of the Evangelos Florakis base, Lambros Lambrou, also died. The Greek-Cypriot government has declared three days of official mourning.  President Derviş Eroğlu telephoned the Greek-Cypriot Leader, Demetris Christofias, to express his condolences to those killed in the blast and to offer the TRNC’s help.  The President offered to provide electricity power to the Greek Cypriot side after its main power station, located near the naval base was knocked out in the explosion.

WEEK - 4 JULY 2011
Cyprus Talks in Geneva ...
Following his meeting with the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot Leaders in Geneva on 7 July, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said that they had accepted his offer for an enhanced United Nations mediation role in talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island, adding that he expected both sides to reach convergence on core issues by October - more

North Cyprus News ...
TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu will visit Brussels during 13 - 15 July and will have meetings with  the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barrosso,  President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek and the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Füle.

The Prime Minister of Turkey,  Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will visit the TRNC for the  Peace and Freedom Day celebrations on 20 July, at the invitation of TRNC President, Dr. Derviş Eroğlu.

In Turkey ...
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (‘İKSV), 18th Istanbul Jazz Festival kicked off on Thursday evening, 30 June.  The festival, organised around the theme of ‘Jazz-Hearted Istanbul’, will host more than 300 renowned Turkish and foreign artists including Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Jamie Cullum, Natalie Cole, Randy Crawford and Amadou & Mariam until July 19 - more on Istanbul Jazz Festival 2011

At the 2011 European Women Basketball Championship held in Lodz, Poland, Turkey's national team played Russia in the Final on 3 July.  Turkey lost the game 42-59 and received the silver medal. This was the first time that the Turkish national women's basketball team had won a medal at the ‘EuroBasket’ Women’s championship. By winning the silver medal, the Turkish side qualified to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games.

NORTH CYPRUS NEWS - JUNE 2011

NEWS THIS WEEK - 27 JUNE 2011
TRNC News ...

TRNC President, Dervis Eroglu, received the British Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington, who arrived in Cyprus this week to receive first-hand information on the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations process.  The Presidential Undersecretary, Hasan Güngör, Special Representative, Kudret Özersay, Spokesperson, Osman Ertuğ, and the British High Commissioner in Cyprus, Matthew Kidd, were also present. No statement was issued regarding the content of the meeting.

Prior to his meeting with the President, Minister Lidington held a press conference in the UN buffer zone during which he expressed the hope that the upcoming tripartite meeting in Geneva on 7 July would serve to encourage the two sides in Cyprus towards a solution to the Cyprus problem.  Expressing his government’s view that a window of opportunity was available for a settlement, following the parliamentary elections in South Cyprus and Turkey, he said that a settlement would profoundly be in the interest of the two sides in Cyprus and would pave the way for greater prosperity for everybody living on the island.  The British minister expressed the view that a solution would also be in the interest of Europe and the rest of the international community and mentioned that the property issue was also related to South Cyprus not only North Cyprus.

During a meeting on 27 June, the European Commission approved a fund of EUR 26.5 million to the Turkish-Cypriot Community. According to a statement issued by the Commission, the fund will be used within the framework of measures which encourage reconciliation.   Non-governmental organizations, schools, farmers, villages and SME’s will get benefit from the fund.  EU Commission member, Stefan Fule, said: “EUR 26.5 million shows that the EU continues to give support to the Turkish- Cypriot Community to reach a settlement in the island.”

As part of the 15th annual Mağusa Culture and Art Festival which is now underway,  Norwegian jazz singer-songwriter Rebekka Bakken will take to the stage for an evening of jazz on June 30 at the ancient amphitheatre of Salamis in the TRNC.

In Turkey...
UNESCO added Selimiye Mosque and its social complex in the Thracian province of Edirne to its World Heritage List this week - more

NEWS THIS WEEK - 20 JUNE 2011
Cyprus Talks ...
The Cyprus Leaders met briefly on 21 June at the UN offices in Nicosia and focused on preparations for their forthcoming meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon which will take place in Geneva on 7 July.

The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser, Alexander Downer, said that he two sides had also discussed governance and power-sharing issues.  Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Dr Downer noted that the two sides “very much want to achieve some convergences on the core issues to report to the Secretary-General when they meet with him on the 7th”.

The Leaders will next meet in the UN Protected Area on 30 June.

TRNC News...
New excavations at the historic site of Salamis by the Eastern Mediterranean University’s Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Research Centre (AKVAM) have uncovered a marble statue of a woman, it was announced on 21 June.   The excavations at the ancient Roman city, which are being carried out by a team of 20 archaeologists, are expected to last until the end of July.

The Vice-President of the Salamis Excavation programme,  Prof. Erhan Öztepe,  told a press conference about the on-going excavation program and its target for 2011.  He said their aim for this summer was to complete on-going excavation work being carried on the cooling room of the city’s Roman Bath and to open it to visitors.   Also speaking at the press conference, the Minister of Public Works & Communication, Hamza Ersan Saner, underlined the importance of promoting the archaeological treasures and natural history of the TRNC.  Minister Saner said that they had displayed replicas of statues excavated in Salamis in 2009 at this year’s Tourism Fair in Germany which had earned them the “best stand" award.

NEWS - 13 JUNE 2011
Cyprus Talks ...
The Cyprus Leaders met on 16 June and discussed issues pertaining to governance and power-sharing. During the meeting, Greek-Cypriot Leader, Demetris Christofias, and Turkish-Cypriot Leader, Dervish Eroglu, also discussed the forthcoming meeting with UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, scheduled to take place in Geneva on 7 July. Meanwhile  Alexander Downer, the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus, met with Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, in Ankara on 17 June.  The Leaders will next meet in the UN Protected Area on 21 June.

TRNC News ...
The 35^th TRNC International Trade Fair opened in Lefkosa on 10 June 2011 and this year will see the participation of over 100 TRNC companies (including M. Kavaz Construction) as well as 22 companies from Turkey.  TRNC President, Dr. Derviş Eroğlu, formally opened the Fair on Friday evening. The event is taking place at the Lefkosa Ataturk Cultural Park & Fair Grounds for the next 10 days.  The working hours of the Fair are 7pm to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and 7pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday.   A number of social and cultural  activities will take place during the Fair.  

The TRNC President, Derviş Eroğlu, sent a message of congratulation to the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following his re-election on Sunday.  In his message, Dr Eroğlu said "I congratulate the AKP on behalf of all Turkish-Cypriots for showing a big success in the elections held on 12 June.  I believe that this result will increase friendship relations between Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots and bring good results for our region and the world."

In Turkey ...
A locally renowned wine producer ­- Kavaklıdere - is seeking global recognition through its presence in Michelin-starred restaurants. ‘‘Right now we are at seven Michelin restaurants in Holland, one in France, and we will soon be at a restaurant in England,” the company’s Chief Executive told Hürriyet Daily News, adding, however, that “Turkey needs to have globally renowned Turkish restaurants to sell its local wines.”  More on Kavaklıdere Wine and its bid for Michelin stardom ....

WEEK - 6 JUNE 2011
TRNC News ...
The TRNC Prime Minister, Irsen Kucuk, held a press conference in Nicosia on 8 June to mark his government’s first year in office. He said the country’s economic crisis had entered into the recovery stage with the help of austerity program measures to increase the effectiveness of the public sector and to strengthen the competitive capacity of the private sector. Dr Kucuk said the aim for the economy was 5 percent growth each year until the 2014 general elections.  Kucuk also repeated that the government was not to privatize institutions without any reason, adding that institutions that were not efficient and were in economic difficulty were not to be left as they were.

He said the that the government’s biggest project was the improvement of Ercan Airport to be able to serve 5 million passengers a year.  The airport would have a second apron and passenger terminal once completed.  The PM noted that efforts to establish a new flag carrier airline with a high percentage of private ownership was continuing.

The PM also added that the economic figures for the first half of 2011 revealed that this year will be better than last year.   Referring to the government’s foreign policy, Küçük said the government pursued a two-fold policy on foreign affairs, the first aimed to further develop the TRNC’s international relations as well as representation within the international arena.  He said:  “We aim to defend the rights and interests of our people by explaining our policies on the Cyprus issue to third parties or countries and to work towards removing the international isolations imposed on the TRNC.”

The second part of the government’s policy’s included the Turkish Cypriot  side’s participation in the UN-led peace talks and to inform the international community on their position and views via the TRNC’s Representative offices. He said “Efforts are continuing with Turkey towards gaining our rightful place within the international community.” The Premier added that relations with the EU and its member countries were also intensified.  “Cyprus is our national cause. Our Cyprus policy is based on the UN parameters which envisage the formation of a new bi-communal, bi-zonal partnership Republic on the basis of political equality and two founding states, which will eventually become part of the EU.”


For more background on North Cyprus see - Places to Visit,  North Cyprus Leisure Activities,  Travel Reviews on North Cyprus