U.N. says Greek, Turkish Cypriot leaders "eager" to meet soon
The Associated Press Published: March 4, 2008
NICOSIA, Cyprus: Rival Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders want to meet this month to discuss restarting stalled reunification talks and opening more crossing points on the divided island, the United Nations' representative on the island said Tuesday.
"The two leaders are eager to get together as soon as possible and we will work on that to make it happen," Michael Moller said after meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Moller said he hoped he would have a date for the meeting between Talat and newly-elected Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias by the end of the week.
Christofias said a first meeting would serve to gauge Talat's approach toward activating a dormant July 2006 agreement for committee-level talks to pave the way for full-fledged reunification negotiations.
"I want to determine the intentions of Mr. Talat, my intentions are most sincere in starting a dialogue on the basis of the July 8 agreement," Christofias told reporters before leaving for a three-day official visit to ally Greece.
Talks between the two leaders are expected to end years of stalemate in reunification efforts since Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N. reunification plan in a 2004 referendum. Turkish Cypriots backed the plan.
Moller said a U.N. assessment team is expected in Cyprus either in late March or early April after the two leaders meet to gauge prospects for restarting reunification talks.
He said there is "broad agreement" on opening more crossing points along the 180-kilometer (112-mile) U.N.-controlled buffer zone slicing the island into an internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following a Turkish invasion sparked by a coup attempting to unite the island with Greece.
A crossing point is likely to be created at Nicosia's Ledra Street, a busy pedestrian street divided in the early 1960s following the outbreak of fighting between the two communities. Ledra Street has come to embody the island's division.
"I'm very optimistic. There is no reason why it shouldn't happen," Moller said about the Ledra Street crossing. He said no date has been set for a crossing to open, but that the process would move "fairly quickly" once the political decision is taken.
Christofias said he hopes outstanding issues holding up a crossing opening are resolved before he meets Talat to avoid further delays.
Five checkpoints have opened since April 2003, when Turkish Cypriot authorities opened crossings to the south for the first time since 1974.
Christofias was elected Feb. 24 in a poll seen as a rejection of his predecessor Tassos Papadopoulos' hardline stance on reunification talks. Talat has said he believes a deal could be reached by the end of 2008.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... cation.php
International News on Cyprus.............
by humanist » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:34 am
halil
the only difference is no one can be a president of a country that does not exist in the eyes of the international world. and to be puting the name of a country and its president in inverted comas, is rather rude arogant and narrow minded given that the man is recognised as the president of the whol island nation.
is our president ..........
there is no differences kikapu posting and mine . all the targets are same . you can get upset by writing President Talat . Who cares.
sutiation at the moment both sides are not recongnise eachother . Till they find solution it will be like that . i dont get upset when people writes TRNC in inverted comas . this is our realities in Cyprus. and will be like that till the solution. And dont swear the others . it shows your character.
the only difference is no one can be a president of a country that does not exist in the eyes of the international world. and to be puting the name of a country and its president in inverted comas, is rather rude arogant and narrow minded given that the man is recognised as the president of the whol island nation.
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humanist - Main Contributor
- Posts: 6585
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by halil » Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:06 am
humanist wrote:halilis our president ..........
there is no differences kikapu posting and mine . all the targets are same . you can get upset by writing President Talat . Who cares.
sutiation at the moment both sides are not recongnise eachother . Till they find solution it will be like that . i dont get upset when people writes TRNC in inverted comas . this is our realities in Cyprus. and will be like that till the solution. And dont swear the others . it shows your character.
the only difference is no one can be a president of a country that does not exist in the eyes of the international world. and to be puting the name of a country and its president in inverted comas, is rather rude arogant and narrow minded given that the man is recognised as the president of the whol island nation.
Humanist,
Since 63 both sides ruling their own people . Both side elects their own leaders . Both side has got their own laws....... both sides they have their own parliaments , muhtar , mp , police forces , courts ....... on the UN talks they sit on the table as a community leaders ......
international organisations recognizing only ROC side it is true but two communities does not recognize each other . Anything comes out from one side to other side , they are using their own titles . this will go like this up to solution . we don't know what we will call it that time . most of the writings in the world clearly says Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but they also says the state only recognize by Turkey..... etc ......etc....
For me ROC president he is not my president . İ didn't elect him or vote for him .
At the end all the newses are saying same things or they talks about same subjects only differences is titles. who cares about titles . people cares about content of the news or what others are thinking or whats going on around them .
doesn't mean the way we are saying or writing we don't want to solve the Cyprus problem . This is the sutiation in Cyprus and this will be my last explaining about this subject .
- halil
- Main Contributor
- Posts: 8804
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:21 pm
- Location: nicosia
by Kikapu » Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:16 pm
UN launches team of experts in conflict mediation that can deploy qucikly to hotspots
The Associated Press Published: March 6, 2008
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations has launched a team of conflict mediators that can rapidly deploy to global hotspots with advice on security, constitution drafting and human rights.
Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe on Wednesday likened the six-member team of mobile mediators to "a SWAT team" that can respond to requests from U.N. officials in the field, governments and regional groups.
"When you get a situation that no one expected, like Kenya, our idea is to be able to move, and move extremely quickly," he said, referring to violence that followed a disputed election in December.
In fact, two team members — a constitution-writing expert and a security expert — skipped this week's orientation at U.N. headquarters in New York and were sent to Kenya because their skills were needed there urgently, Pascoe said.
"We're using ... members of the team in areas where there's something that really can be done," he said. "For example, if we get to the point where we're doing a constitutional revision or discussion in Somalia, then there might be a need for them."
Jan Eliasson, the U.N. envoy trying to promote a peace agreement in Darfur, "has pestered me for more expertise," he said, and there could be a need for the U.N. experts in Iraq, and in Cyprus if there is "another full-blown effort" to reunite the divided Mediterranean island.
"If we get to the point where we're doing a constitutional revision or discussion in Somalia, then there might be a need for them," he added.
Pascoe said he expects the team to be "oversubscribed" with requests for their expertise fairly soon, and to spend about 80 percent of their time in the field. The team also has expertise in such areas as justice and power sharing.
The team, which was chosen from over 400 applicants, is being funded for a year by the Norwegian government.
"Our hope is that this will be such an incredible success that everybody will agree that it should be extended," Pascoe said.
Team leader Joyce Neu, an American who has mediated in conflicts and conducted conflict assessments in dozen of countries, said all the members are "very excited."
"There are innumerable conflicts in the world, and our hope is that as a team we can apply some of our knowledge to these efforts to bring about peace more effectively and more sustainably," she said.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... iators.php
I heard from the "grapevine" that the name of this UN Team is going to be called "The Ghost Busters".!!!
The Associated Press Published: March 6, 2008
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations has launched a team of conflict mediators that can rapidly deploy to global hotspots with advice on security, constitution drafting and human rights.
Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe on Wednesday likened the six-member team of mobile mediators to "a SWAT team" that can respond to requests from U.N. officials in the field, governments and regional groups.
"When you get a situation that no one expected, like Kenya, our idea is to be able to move, and move extremely quickly," he said, referring to violence that followed a disputed election in December.
In fact, two team members — a constitution-writing expert and a security expert — skipped this week's orientation at U.N. headquarters in New York and were sent to Kenya because their skills were needed there urgently, Pascoe said.
"We're using ... members of the team in areas where there's something that really can be done," he said. "For example, if we get to the point where we're doing a constitutional revision or discussion in Somalia, then there might be a need for them."
Jan Eliasson, the U.N. envoy trying to promote a peace agreement in Darfur, "has pestered me for more expertise," he said, and there could be a need for the U.N. experts in Iraq, and in Cyprus if there is "another full-blown effort" to reunite the divided Mediterranean island.
"If we get to the point where we're doing a constitutional revision or discussion in Somalia, then there might be a need for them," he added.
Pascoe said he expects the team to be "oversubscribed" with requests for their expertise fairly soon, and to spend about 80 percent of their time in the field. The team also has expertise in such areas as justice and power sharing.
The team, which was chosen from over 400 applicants, is being funded for a year by the Norwegian government.
"Our hope is that this will be such an incredible success that everybody will agree that it should be extended," Pascoe said.
Team leader Joyce Neu, an American who has mediated in conflicts and conducted conflict assessments in dozen of countries, said all the members are "very excited."
"There are innumerable conflicts in the world, and our hope is that as a team we can apply some of our knowledge to these efforts to bring about peace more effectively and more sustainably," she said.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... iators.php
I heard from the "grapevine" that the name of this UN Team is going to be called "The Ghost Busters".!!!
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Kikapu - Leading Contributor
- Posts: 18050
- Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:18 pm
by Kikapu » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:17 pm
Report says reunified Cyprus would gain from trade with Turkey
The Associated Press Published: March 6, 2008
NICOSIA, Cyprus: A reunified Cyprus could gain an average €1.8 billion (US$2.75 billion) each year from new trade with Turkey and other business, according to a research report released on Thursday.
The report, sponsored by the Cyprus Center of the Peace Research Institute of Oslo, or PRIO, predicts a windfall for tourism, trade, construction and other economic sectors, if Greek and Turkish Cypriots reach a political agreement and reunify the island.
Resolving the island's 34-year division would lead to benefits for all Cypriots "that will impact their daily lives in very concrete ways, including in their pocketbooks," the U.N. Special Representative in Cyprus, Michael Moller, said at the report's presentation.
The report's three Cyprus-based authors said they based their calculations on the increase in commerce between traditional rivals Greece and Turkey after the thawing of relations between the two in 1999.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but the bloc's benefits are only enjoyed by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Ankara. Cyprus currently has no trade or diplomatic relations with Turkey.
Peace talks have been stalled since 2004, when Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N. reunification blueprint that Turkish Cypriots had supported.
But the election last month of Dimitris Christofias as new Cyprus president has renewed hopes that the island's division could be resolved. Christofias has said he wants to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, and an initial meeting is set for the week of March 17.
Christofias takes over the presidency from hardline Tassos Papadopoulos, who was instrumental in urging Greek Cypriots to reject the U.N. plan.
The PRIO report predicts Cyprus gaining on average an additional €700 million (US$1.074 billion) each year in tourism business for the first seven years after reunification. Trade with Turkey would generate an additional €618 million (US$948 million) a year, while construction companies would earn an extra €393 million (US$602 million) annually.
____
On the Net:
PRIO report: http://www.prio.no/cyprus .............(interesting information found here).
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... conomy.php
The Associated Press Published: March 6, 2008
NICOSIA, Cyprus: A reunified Cyprus could gain an average €1.8 billion (US$2.75 billion) each year from new trade with Turkey and other business, according to a research report released on Thursday.
The report, sponsored by the Cyprus Center of the Peace Research Institute of Oslo, or PRIO, predicts a windfall for tourism, trade, construction and other economic sectors, if Greek and Turkish Cypriots reach a political agreement and reunify the island.
Resolving the island's 34-year division would lead to benefits for all Cypriots "that will impact their daily lives in very concrete ways, including in their pocketbooks," the U.N. Special Representative in Cyprus, Michael Moller, said at the report's presentation.
The report's three Cyprus-based authors said they based their calculations on the increase in commerce between traditional rivals Greece and Turkey after the thawing of relations between the two in 1999.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but the bloc's benefits are only enjoyed by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Ankara. Cyprus currently has no trade or diplomatic relations with Turkey.
Peace talks have been stalled since 2004, when Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N. reunification blueprint that Turkish Cypriots had supported.
But the election last month of Dimitris Christofias as new Cyprus president has renewed hopes that the island's division could be resolved. Christofias has said he wants to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, and an initial meeting is set for the week of March 17.
Christofias takes over the presidency from hardline Tassos Papadopoulos, who was instrumental in urging Greek Cypriots to reject the U.N. plan.
The PRIO report predicts Cyprus gaining on average an additional €700 million (US$1.074 billion) each year in tourism business for the first seven years after reunification. Trade with Turkey would generate an additional €618 million (US$948 million) a year, while construction companies would earn an extra €393 million (US$602 million) annually.
____
On the Net:
PRIO report: http://www.prio.no/cyprus .............(interesting information found here).
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... conomy.php
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Kikapu - Leading Contributor
- Posts: 18050
- Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:18 pm
by Kikapu » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:21 pm
Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders set dates for reunification meetings
The Associated Press Published: March 6, 2008
ATHENS, Greece: Cyprus' new president said Thursday that he expects to meet the Turkish Cypriot leader in the next two weeks to try to revive talks aimed at reunifying the island.
Dimitris Christofias' election on Feb. 24 has renewed hopes that the 34-year-old division of Cyprus can be resolved. Hours after winning the election, Christofias called for talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Peace talks have been stalled since 2004.
"I expect the meeting with Mr. Talat to occur between the 17th and 24th of this month," Christofias said during a news conference in Athens, where he was ending his first official foreign visit as president.
"It is my wish, yes, to resolve the Cyprus issue during this five-year term ... that's my aim," he said. "We will work tirelessly for this, but this also requires the cooperation of others."
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but the bloc's benefits are only enjoyed by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Turkey.
"We are both Cypriots. Mr. Talat is a Cypriot and so am I. ... He is an old friend of mine," Christofias said. "(But) the umbilical cord must be cut between the (Turkish Cypriots) and Turkey."
On Wednesday, Christofias said that although his first meeting with Talat would be "exploratory," he hoped the two would agree to open two new crossing points on the divided island.
One will be at Ledra Street, a busy pedestrian thoroughfare in the heart of Cyprus' capital. It has come to embody the island's division, and opening a crossing there would be highly symbolic. Five crossing points have been opened since Turkish Cypriot authorities relaxed restrictions in 2003.
Talat has said he believes there is hope for resolving the Cyprus problem by the end of the year.
Peace talks between the two sides have been stalled since 2004, when Greek Cypriots voted in a referendum to reject a U.N.-backed reunification plan. Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan in a separate vote.
Christofias has said the ultimate goal would be to have a unified, demilitarized Cyprus.
The island has two sovereign British bases, created when the British colony gained independence in 1960.
"We have no plans to touch the (British) bases ... but full demilitarization of the island remains a long-term goal," Christofias said.
A research report released Thursday said a reunified Cyprus could gain an average $2.75 billion each year from new trade with Turkey and other business.
The report, sponsored by the Cyprus Center of the Peace Research Institute of Oslo, predicts a windfall for tourism, trade, construction and other economic sectors, if Greek and Turkish Cypriots reach a political agreement and reunify the island.
The authors said they based their calculations on the increase in commerce between traditional rivals Greece and Turkey after the thawing of relations between the two in 1999.
---
Associated Press writer Menelaos Hadjicostis contributed to this report from Nicosia, Cyprus.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... Cyprus.php
The Associated Press Published: March 6, 2008
ATHENS, Greece: Cyprus' new president said Thursday that he expects to meet the Turkish Cypriot leader in the next two weeks to try to revive talks aimed at reunifying the island.
Dimitris Christofias' election on Feb. 24 has renewed hopes that the 34-year-old division of Cyprus can be resolved. Hours after winning the election, Christofias called for talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Peace talks have been stalled since 2004.
"I expect the meeting with Mr. Talat to occur between the 17th and 24th of this month," Christofias said during a news conference in Athens, where he was ending his first official foreign visit as president.
"It is my wish, yes, to resolve the Cyprus issue during this five-year term ... that's my aim," he said. "We will work tirelessly for this, but this also requires the cooperation of others."
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but the bloc's benefits are only enjoyed by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Turkey.
"We are both Cypriots. Mr. Talat is a Cypriot and so am I. ... He is an old friend of mine," Christofias said. "(But) the umbilical cord must be cut between the (Turkish Cypriots) and Turkey."
On Wednesday, Christofias said that although his first meeting with Talat would be "exploratory," he hoped the two would agree to open two new crossing points on the divided island.
One will be at Ledra Street, a busy pedestrian thoroughfare in the heart of Cyprus' capital. It has come to embody the island's division, and opening a crossing there would be highly symbolic. Five crossing points have been opened since Turkish Cypriot authorities relaxed restrictions in 2003.
Talat has said he believes there is hope for resolving the Cyprus problem by the end of the year.
Peace talks between the two sides have been stalled since 2004, when Greek Cypriots voted in a referendum to reject a U.N.-backed reunification plan. Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan in a separate vote.
Christofias has said the ultimate goal would be to have a unified, demilitarized Cyprus.
The island has two sovereign British bases, created when the British colony gained independence in 1960.
"We have no plans to touch the (British) bases ... but full demilitarization of the island remains a long-term goal," Christofias said.
A research report released Thursday said a reunified Cyprus could gain an average $2.75 billion each year from new trade with Turkey and other business.
The report, sponsored by the Cyprus Center of the Peace Research Institute of Oslo, predicts a windfall for tourism, trade, construction and other economic sectors, if Greek and Turkish Cypriots reach a political agreement and reunify the island.
The authors said they based their calculations on the increase in commerce between traditional rivals Greece and Turkey after the thawing of relations between the two in 1999.
---
Associated Press writer Menelaos Hadjicostis contributed to this report from Nicosia, Cyprus.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... Cyprus.php
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Kikapu - Leading Contributor
- Posts: 18050
- Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:18 pm
by Kikapu » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:54 pm
Turkey, Greece express hope for resumption of Cyprus talks
The Associated PressPublished: March 8, 2008
ANKARA, Turkey: The Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Greece expressed hope on Saturday for the revival of talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island of Cyprus by the end of the year.
"We think that an important window of opportunity has been opened for 2008," Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said after a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Dora Bakoyannis.
Their meeting follows a decision by new Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, the president of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state, to meet in the coming weeks to discuss the revival of reunification talks stalled since 2004.
"We share the opinion that the period ahead will be full of action concerning Cyprus," Bakoyannis said. "There is an opportunity which we can contribute to."
Bakoyannis was in Ankara to attend a Women's Day conference organized by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party.
Regional rivals Greece and Turkey are trying improve ties overshadowed by military tensions over Cyprus and territorial rights in the Aegean Sea. Relations have thawed considerably over the past decade.
Hours after winning Cyprus' Feb. 24 election, Christofias called Talat, renewing hopes that the 34-year-old division of Cyprus can be resolved.
The island has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but the bloc's benefits are only enjoyed by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Turkey.
On Saturday Bakoyannis renewed her country's support for Turkey's European Union membership bid.
"The day Turkey is a full member of the EU will be a cause for joy for Greece," she said. "For Greece, this will mean that Turkey has reached of the EU's criteria. And this will bring with it stability and development for the region."
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... Greece.php
The Associated PressPublished: March 8, 2008
ANKARA, Turkey: The Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Greece expressed hope on Saturday for the revival of talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island of Cyprus by the end of the year.
"We think that an important window of opportunity has been opened for 2008," Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said after a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Dora Bakoyannis.
Their meeting follows a decision by new Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, the president of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state, to meet in the coming weeks to discuss the revival of reunification talks stalled since 2004.
"We share the opinion that the period ahead will be full of action concerning Cyprus," Bakoyannis said. "There is an opportunity which we can contribute to."
Bakoyannis was in Ankara to attend a Women's Day conference organized by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party.
Regional rivals Greece and Turkey are trying improve ties overshadowed by military tensions over Cyprus and territorial rights in the Aegean Sea. Relations have thawed considerably over the past decade.
Hours after winning Cyprus' Feb. 24 election, Christofias called Talat, renewing hopes that the 34-year-old division of Cyprus can be resolved.
The island has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but the bloc's benefits are only enjoyed by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Turkey.
On Saturday Bakoyannis renewed her country's support for Turkey's European Union membership bid.
"The day Turkey is a full member of the EU will be a cause for joy for Greece," she said. "For Greece, this will mean that Turkey has reached of the EU's criteria. And this will bring with it stability and development for the region."
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... Greece.php
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Kikapu - Leading Contributor
- Posts: 18050
- Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:18 pm
by Kikapu » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:48 pm
Easing isolation, Turkish Cypriots to open trade office in Israel
The Associated PressPublished: March 10, 2008
JERUSALEM: Northern Cyprus is opening a trade office in Israel, according to a prominent Israeli attorney, an indication of growing international acceptance of the isolated breakaway state.
The office will open shortly in the Tel Aviv area, said lawyer Dov Weissglass, who was a close adviser to former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. It will have a small number of staffers and deal with economic and commercial issues, according to Weissglass, who said he helped set the office up. He would not elaborate.
The Turkish-occupied northern third of the island of Cyprus broke away from the Greek south and declared independence in 1983 but has been recognized only by Turkey itself. The southern Republic of Cyprus is a member of the United Nations and joined the European Union in 2004.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said the opening of the trade office did not mean Israel was recognizing the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of North Cyprus.
"Israel operates according to the decisions of the U.N. and the international community, and like them, Israel doesn't recognize northern Cyprus as an independent unit. If such an office opens, it won't receive any diplomatic recognition," he said.
Mekel would not say if the Israeli government had officially approved opening the trade office to open, but said the government would find it difficult to bar such a facility it was not tied to an enemy state.
A Turkish Cypriot official said the establishment of the Tel Aviv office comes on the heels of similar operations in Italy and Qatar.
"Since we cannot establish diplomatic relations with other countries at this moment, we bypass this and open trade offices instead," Mustafa Guclu said.
The Israeli move follows other signs of creeping recognition of northern Cyprus. Guclu said more overseas trade offices are expected to open in the "coming months" and several months ago Syria began operating a regular ferry service to the north. Though those countries insist the moves are not steps toward diplomatic recognition, they have angered the Cyprus government over fears they could lead to the island's permanent partition.
However, a Cypriot government official said the Tel Aviv enterprise was registered as a private company, with the Israeli government playing no role, and there was therefore little that could be done to oppose it.
"Since there is no official involvement, it is difficult to block the office's opening," Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou's Chief of Staff Kornelios Korneliou said. "We're monitoring the situation and looking into all aspects to determine how we can react," he added.
Israel's closest regional ally is Turkey, the Turkish Cypriots' patron, and those ties might have played a role in the Israeli move. Recent years have also seen growing Israeli tourism to northern Cyprus and Israeli business interests in the breakaway state.
Separated only by a short stretch of the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus and Israel are a one-hour flight apart.
Associated Press writer Menelaos Hadjicostis contributed to this report from Nicosia, Cyprus.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... Cyprus.php
The Associated PressPublished: March 10, 2008
JERUSALEM: Northern Cyprus is opening a trade office in Israel, according to a prominent Israeli attorney, an indication of growing international acceptance of the isolated breakaway state.
The office will open shortly in the Tel Aviv area, said lawyer Dov Weissglass, who was a close adviser to former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. It will have a small number of staffers and deal with economic and commercial issues, according to Weissglass, who said he helped set the office up. He would not elaborate.
The Turkish-occupied northern third of the island of Cyprus broke away from the Greek south and declared independence in 1983 but has been recognized only by Turkey itself. The southern Republic of Cyprus is a member of the United Nations and joined the European Union in 2004.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said the opening of the trade office did not mean Israel was recognizing the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of North Cyprus.
"Israel operates according to the decisions of the U.N. and the international community, and like them, Israel doesn't recognize northern Cyprus as an independent unit. If such an office opens, it won't receive any diplomatic recognition," he said.
Mekel would not say if the Israeli government had officially approved opening the trade office to open, but said the government would find it difficult to bar such a facility it was not tied to an enemy state.
A Turkish Cypriot official said the establishment of the Tel Aviv office comes on the heels of similar operations in Italy and Qatar.
"Since we cannot establish diplomatic relations with other countries at this moment, we bypass this and open trade offices instead," Mustafa Guclu said.
The Israeli move follows other signs of creeping recognition of northern Cyprus. Guclu said more overseas trade offices are expected to open in the "coming months" and several months ago Syria began operating a regular ferry service to the north. Though those countries insist the moves are not steps toward diplomatic recognition, they have angered the Cyprus government over fears they could lead to the island's permanent partition.
However, a Cypriot government official said the Tel Aviv enterprise was registered as a private company, with the Israeli government playing no role, and there was therefore little that could be done to oppose it.
"Since there is no official involvement, it is difficult to block the office's opening," Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou's Chief of Staff Kornelios Korneliou said. "We're monitoring the situation and looking into all aspects to determine how we can react," he added.
Israel's closest regional ally is Turkey, the Turkish Cypriots' patron, and those ties might have played a role in the Israeli move. Recent years have also seen growing Israeli tourism to northern Cyprus and Israeli business interests in the breakaway state.
Separated only by a short stretch of the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus and Israel are a one-hour flight apart.
Associated Press writer Menelaos Hadjicostis contributed to this report from Nicosia, Cyprus.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/ ... Cyprus.php
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Kikapu - Leading Contributor
- Posts: 18050
- Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:18 pm
by Kikapu » Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:50 pm
Greek, Turkish Cypriot leaders to meet to discuss reviving U.N.-backed bid to reunify Cyprus
The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
NICOSIA, Cyprus: The leaders of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus agreed Wednesday to hold talks this month on reviving U.N.-backed reunification efforts.
Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will meet on March 21, U.N. spokesman Jose Diaz said.
Their aides met Wednesday in the presence of the U.N. special representative to the island, Michael Moller, to set the date and prepare an agenda for the talks at a disused Nicosia airport inside the buffer zone that serves as U.N. headquarters in Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in response to a coup by Cypriots supporting unification with Greece. The internationally recognized Greek Cypriot leadership governs the south and the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state runs the north.
As Cyprus prepared to join the European Union, the U.N. proposed a deal for reunification — which Turkish Cypriot voters approved but Greek Cypriot rejected, meaning Cyprus joined the bloc in 2004 still divided. Although the whole island is technically a member, the EU's privileges extend only to the south.
However, the election last month of communist-rooted Christofias has rekindled efforts to end Cyprus' 34-year-old division by favoring direct talks between the two communities.
Christofias defeated former President Tassos Papadopoulos, who had opposed a power-sharing plans promoted by the U.N., arguing they would hurt Greek Cypriot rights.
A key issue: new crossing points along the U.N.- controlled buffer zone dividing the island, including one at Ledra Street, a busy pedestrian thoroughfare in the heart of Cyprus' capital that has come to embody the island's division, and the other at Limnitis in the northwest of the island.
Five crossing points have been opened since Turkish Cypriot authorities relaxed restrictions in 2003.
State radio quoted Christofias' senior adviser George Iacovou as saying that Greek Cypriot objection over Turkish troop patrols near the new crossing point was "not a big problem."
Talat aide Ozdil Nami said there was a "positive mood" on a Ledra Street opening, but that "finalization will be up to the to leaders."
http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=10977647
The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
NICOSIA, Cyprus: The leaders of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus agreed Wednesday to hold talks this month on reviving U.N.-backed reunification efforts.
Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will meet on March 21, U.N. spokesman Jose Diaz said.
Their aides met Wednesday in the presence of the U.N. special representative to the island, Michael Moller, to set the date and prepare an agenda for the talks at a disused Nicosia airport inside the buffer zone that serves as U.N. headquarters in Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in response to a coup by Cypriots supporting unification with Greece. The internationally recognized Greek Cypriot leadership governs the south and the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state runs the north.
As Cyprus prepared to join the European Union, the U.N. proposed a deal for reunification — which Turkish Cypriot voters approved but Greek Cypriot rejected, meaning Cyprus joined the bloc in 2004 still divided. Although the whole island is technically a member, the EU's privileges extend only to the south.
However, the election last month of communist-rooted Christofias has rekindled efforts to end Cyprus' 34-year-old division by favoring direct talks between the two communities.
Christofias defeated former President Tassos Papadopoulos, who had opposed a power-sharing plans promoted by the U.N., arguing they would hurt Greek Cypriot rights.
A key issue: new crossing points along the U.N.- controlled buffer zone dividing the island, including one at Ledra Street, a busy pedestrian thoroughfare in the heart of Cyprus' capital that has come to embody the island's division, and the other at Limnitis in the northwest of the island.
Five crossing points have been opened since Turkish Cypriot authorities relaxed restrictions in 2003.
State radio quoted Christofias' senior adviser George Iacovou as saying that Greek Cypriot objection over Turkish troop patrols near the new crossing point was "not a big problem."
Talat aide Ozdil Nami said there was a "positive mood" on a Ledra Street opening, but that "finalization will be up to the to leaders."
http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=10977647
-
Kikapu - Leading Contributor
- Posts: 18050
- Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:18 pm
by Kikapu » Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:53 pm
Greek, Turkish Cypriot leaders to meet March 21
The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
NICOSIA, Cyprus: The leaders of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus agreed Wednesday to hold talks next week on reviving U.N.-backed reunification efforts.
Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will meet on March 21, U.N. spokesman Jose Diaz said.
Their aides met Wednesday in the presence of U.N. special representative to the island, Michael Moller, to set the date and prepare the agenda for the talks, which will be held at a disused Nicosia airport inside the buffer zone that serves as the U.N. headquarters in Cyprus.
One of the main issues will be a potential deal to open new crossing points along the U.N.- controlled buffer zone dividing the island.
One will be at Ledra Street, a busy pedestrian shopping thoroughfare in the heart of Cyprus' capital, and the other at Limnitis in the northwest of the island. Ledra Street has come to embody the island's division, and opening a crossing there would be highly symbolic.
"I wish and hope that when I meet Mr. Talat, we can announce the opening of Ledra Street," Christofias told reporters before flying to Brussels to attend an EU summit.
Christofias said opening a crossing there will depend on the terms Talat sets.
"Let's be patient to see if (Ledra Street) will open, and if it opens under what terms. In any case, we haven't made any concession," Christofias said.
Strong Greek Cypriot opposition to Turkish troop patrols near Ledra Street scuttled a previous attempt to open a crossing there.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Ankara, which maintains 30,000 troops there.
The U.N.-patrolled buffer zone prevented Cypriots from moving between the two sides until five crossing points opened in 2003 after Turkish Cypriot authorities relaxed restrictions.
Tens of thousands of people flooded across in the first few days to see friends and homes they had been unable to visit for nearly 30 years. ID cards or passports are needed to cross from one side to the other.
Peace talks have been stalled since 2004, when Greek Cypriot voters rejected a U.N. settlement plan in a referendum. Turkish Cypriots had backed the plan.
A sticking point to restarting talks has been a Turkish Cypriot call to resume negotiations on the defunct plan.
Christofias instead wants to revive a dormant July 2006 U.N.-brokered deal that was meant as a starting point for new peace talks. Both sides agreed to the deal, but never made any progress.
"We insist that the starting off point for meetings and negotiations, if a serious effort to solve the Cyprus problem is to start, is the July 8 agreement ... there is nothing else on the table," Christofias said.
The election last month of the Communist-rooted Christofias has rekindled efforts to end Cyprus' 34-year-old division by favoring direct talks between the two communities.
Christofias defeated former President Tassos Papadopoulos, who had opposed a power-sharing plans promoted by the U.N., arguing they would hurt Greek Cypriot rights.
The island joined the European Union in 2004, but the bloc's benefits are only enjoyed by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south.
http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=10974216
The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
NICOSIA, Cyprus: The leaders of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus agreed Wednesday to hold talks next week on reviving U.N.-backed reunification efforts.
Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will meet on March 21, U.N. spokesman Jose Diaz said.
Their aides met Wednesday in the presence of U.N. special representative to the island, Michael Moller, to set the date and prepare the agenda for the talks, which will be held at a disused Nicosia airport inside the buffer zone that serves as the U.N. headquarters in Cyprus.
One of the main issues will be a potential deal to open new crossing points along the U.N.- controlled buffer zone dividing the island.
One will be at Ledra Street, a busy pedestrian shopping thoroughfare in the heart of Cyprus' capital, and the other at Limnitis in the northwest of the island. Ledra Street has come to embody the island's division, and opening a crossing there would be highly symbolic.
"I wish and hope that when I meet Mr. Talat, we can announce the opening of Ledra Street," Christofias told reporters before flying to Brussels to attend an EU summit.
Christofias said opening a crossing there will depend on the terms Talat sets.
"Let's be patient to see if (Ledra Street) will open, and if it opens under what terms. In any case, we haven't made any concession," Christofias said.
Strong Greek Cypriot opposition to Turkish troop patrols near Ledra Street scuttled a previous attempt to open a crossing there.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Ankara, which maintains 30,000 troops there.
The U.N.-patrolled buffer zone prevented Cypriots from moving between the two sides until five crossing points opened in 2003 after Turkish Cypriot authorities relaxed restrictions.
Tens of thousands of people flooded across in the first few days to see friends and homes they had been unable to visit for nearly 30 years. ID cards or passports are needed to cross from one side to the other.
Peace talks have been stalled since 2004, when Greek Cypriot voters rejected a U.N. settlement plan in a referendum. Turkish Cypriots had backed the plan.
A sticking point to restarting talks has been a Turkish Cypriot call to resume negotiations on the defunct plan.
Christofias instead wants to revive a dormant July 2006 U.N.-brokered deal that was meant as a starting point for new peace talks. Both sides agreed to the deal, but never made any progress.
"We insist that the starting off point for meetings and negotiations, if a serious effort to solve the Cyprus problem is to start, is the July 8 agreement ... there is nothing else on the table," Christofias said.
The election last month of the Communist-rooted Christofias has rekindled efforts to end Cyprus' 34-year-old division by favoring direct talks between the two communities.
Christofias defeated former President Tassos Papadopoulos, who had opposed a power-sharing plans promoted by the U.N., arguing they would hurt Greek Cypriot rights.
The island joined the European Union in 2004, but the bloc's benefits are only enjoyed by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south.
http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=10974216
-
Kikapu - Leading Contributor
- Posts: 18050
- Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:18 pm
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