Cyprus-Forum.com

[BirKibrisli]

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that one of the biggest problems being experienced in the TRNC is the production of goods and its promotion but drew attention to the fact that the source of the problem is the continuation of the Cyprus issue.

Why... have the TCs forgotten how to plant cucumbers and tomatoes or were they thinking of shifting into robotics?

They are lerning to make biger cucumbars because the others was to small for you

İngilizce konuşabilir misiniz?

Stop pretending you don't understand what lovernomore says,GR...
He thinks they are preparing big cucumbers just for your enjoyment...
You can at least thank the guy...

Unfortunately we can now only accept the standard EU regulation cucumber which is of much smaller length and girth. Unlike our friend lovernomore who seems to enjoy the freedom of utilising the larger irregular shaped cucmbers in the occupied areas for his enjoyment.

Each to their own,I suppose,DT...

Cucumbers have a special place in my family's life...When my grandfather was on his deathbed ages ago in Cyprus all his children were by his bedside...He was falling in and out of coma...finally he opened his eyes,looked around him and signaled to all present to go nearer...When they all gathered around,he looked at each one in turn and pronounced his now famous last words..."Hiyar Agouri"!!!!
Hiyar is the Turkish word for Agouri of course!
We are all still wondering what he meant...

[Nikitas]

Bir,

That was a wonderful vignetter of your grandfather's last moments. I like to think that he had the spirit to utter a joke, even at that most dreadful moment, which shows a man of tremendous courage. I envy him.

[BirKibrisli]

Bir,

That was a wonderful vignetter of your grandfather's last moments. I like to think that he had the spirit to utter a joke, even at that most dreadful moment, which shows a man of tremendous courage. I envy him.

He was indeed an exceptional man,Nikitas...He became a teacher at age 18,but left within a couple of years to become a trader...In his early years he apparently walked sometimes for days buying and selling his wares off the back of a donkey, all over Paphos region...His best friend and financier was a GC from Paphos town.Hundreds of pounds would exchange hands after a handshake,and their words were their honour...He ended up becoming one of the biggest landowners in his area,the shopkeeper,Postman,Muhtar,you name it...He made his own wine and zivania,and what he couldn't drink he gave away,believing it was a sin to make profit from alcohol...He died in Nicosia in 1972 looked after by my mother and his other children in turn...I had already left for Australia with my father,and to me he is still alive,sitting in his armchair by the fire in his house in Istinco listening to the news on the wireless...

[halil]

News from Northern Cyprus
PR TALAT SAYS TC SIDE HAS TAKEN THE INITIATIVE OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IN ITS HANDS

`If we did not do so, neither the former Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos would quit nor the new leader Demetris Christofias would sit at the negotiations table` he added.

Mr Talat once again emphasized that the solution of the Cyprus problem will be a solution which foresees the existence of two constituent states of equal status and the right of self-determination equally enjoyed by two peoples of Cyprus.

The President also laid emphasis on the fact that the rights and gains of Turkish Cypriots will never be compensated at the negotiations table.

These statements were made by the President in his address to the public during yesterday’s Turkish Republic Day celebrations in Lefkosa.

Referring to the establishment of the Turkish Republic following the victory of the Turkish War of Independence, Talat said such a unique Turkish history had shed light on the Turkish Cypriot People’s path.
The President stated that Turkey has been the biggest supporter of Turkish Cypriots and said no one will have enough power to break the strong ties between the two countries.

In his call to the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr Talat asked Mr Christofias why he keeps blaming Turkey for the start of the Cyprus problem, saying ‘wasn’t the problem already there before the 1974 peace operation?`.

`The past of the Cyprus problem lies in the Greek Junta’s coup in Cyprus and massacres followed right after. And, I can neither construe Mr Christofias in his accusations, nor I can construe the isolations facing Turkish Cypriots`.

President Talat went on to say that the Greek Cypriot Administration does not perceive Turkish Cypriots as one of the equal forces in Cyprus and makes up the story which tells the TRNC is administered by Turkey.

`However, Turkey will not only be standing as the lasting guarantee for Turkish Cypriots, but for Greek Cypriots too` Talat stressed.

Underlining the importance of unity and solidarity during the ongoing peace process, the President said Turkish Cypriots can overcome all the difficulties by working jointly with Turkey.

Talat in Istanbul.
President Mehmet Ali Talat is in Istanbul to attend a dinner to be given in honour of some state heads attending the first World Economic Forum on `Europe and Central Asia`.

The Forum, that kicks off today and is the first of its kind, will bring together international and regional business leaders, heads of state and government, as well as media, cultural and religious leaders from across Europe, Turkey, Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East.

The Forum, which is the first regional one to be held following the global financial crisis, is aimed at exploring the common challenges faced by the regions, the primary focus being on the financial crisis, and mapping the path towards a common collaborative future.

President Talat will be among the guests of a dinner to be given by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in honor of the 9 State and Government heads, and 21 Ministers participating in the Forum.

The World Economic Forum on ‘Europe and Central Asia’ will end on the 1st November.

[halil]

News from Northern Cyprus ..............

[b]Talat-Christofias Meeting Ends [/b]

President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofiasmet today at 10.00 am under the framework of the negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

Following at tete-a-tete meeting, Talat and Christofias proceeded to the negotiations with their teams.

The leaders continued to discuss the topic of ‘Governance and power sharing” at the meeting, which took place in the UN Buffer Zone in Nicosia.



Remarks by Special Representative of the Secretary General Tayé-Brook Zerihoun following the meeting of Cyprus Leaders

"Good afternoon,

The leaders started today’s meeting with a one hour tête-à-tête. They then took up discussion on the federal executive and again instructed their representatives to continue their discussions in an effort to narrow remaining differences. Following that, the leaders continued with a preliminary exchange of views on the legislature. They will continue these discussions when they meet next on Tuesday 11 November. They have also decided to hold a second meeting that week on Friday 14 November. I am glad to tell you that there was also an understanding reached on your behalf, or to your favour, and that at the next meeting, cameras and videos will be invited in to take pictures and video to update your footage.


Thank you.


Q: There was a Greek Cypriot police team carrying out an inspection tour in the area early in the morning. Is this a routine inspection or was there a particular reason for this?

Tayé-Brook Zerihoun: It must be routine because I haven’t heard about it.

Q: Will the UN have a more energetic role in case by the end of the year there is no impressive progress?

TBZ: I think that’s a bit too early. We are here at the request of the parties. We have offered the Secretary-General’s good offices and we are flexible to the needs and desires of the parties, and this is a decision the Secretary-General would have to make at any rate. But we will help in any way the parties want us to help them.

Q: The leaders have been discussing the matter of the executive for about seven meetings now. Have you established or ascertained any narrowing of the gap between the two sides?

Q: Can I expand on that - where do they agree or not? Can you tell us where there is some convergence? Perhaps a couple of points where there is some progress?

TBZ: Obviously I cannot go into the details. I’m sorry about that, but indeed, they are dealing with these issues. There are many complicated issues, you know better than I, and they are moving forward, I can assure you about that.

Q: But is there a narrowing of the gap?

TBZ: They are moving forward. Thank you very much. Good day."

Press Office/UNFICYP

[halil]

News from the Northern Cyprus.

Last night Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer attended a dinner given by the Foundation for Political and Economic Research, of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey.

Here he explained what the Turkish Cypriot side hopes to achieve in the future.

Addressing the dinner Ferdi Sabit Soyer said the Turkish Cypriot Side’s objective is to achieve important progress at the talks before next year’s elections for the European Parliament.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, the Premier said that a future solution on the island should protect the Turkish Cypriot people’s political equality and Turkey’s position as a guarantor power.

Mr. Soyer stressed the importance of a solution for the Turkish Cypriot People but said that this does not mean that the Turkish Cypriot Side is ready to accept any kind of a solution.

He also accused the Greek Cypriot Side of playing for time and of trying to weaken the United Nations’ role in the negotiations process.

Noting that considerable progress has been achieved at the talks since the start of the negotiations, he said the Turkish Cypriot Side is working hard to achieve important progress at the talks before next year’s elections for the European Parliament.

Deputy-Prime Minister –Foreign Minister Turgay Avci and the Minister of Finance Ahmet Uzun are accompanying Prime Minister Soyer during his contacts in the Turkish capital.


GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IS CONTINUING TO EXPLOIT THE HUMANITARIAN ISSUE

The Greek Cypriot House of Representative’s Committee on Refugees is reported to have taken a decision calling for a research in Turkey for Greek Cypriot missing persons.

The news – which were published in the Greek Cypriot press – have been seen as a provocation as the Committee on Missing Persons are successfully continuing their work to find the remains of some 2000 Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots who went missing between 1963 and 1974.

The paper also quotes Yorgos Yakovu – an aide to the Greek Cypriot President – as only talking about the Greek Cypriots who went missing in 1974 while ignoring the fact that there are many Turkish Cypriots who went missing between 1963 and 1974.

As the negotiations continue between the two sides, the news are expected to negatively affect the work being carried out by the Committee on Missing Persons.

The issue is a humanitarian problem and the Committee has unearthed and identified the remains of many missing persons from both sides since its establishment by the two sides.

It has long been confirmed by the international Red Cross organization that none of the Greek Cypriot prisoners sent to Turkey during the 1974 Peace Operation remained in the country and that the fate of all were known.

This fact was also confirmed by a report prepared at the end of a study carried out by the United States with the aim of determining the fate of Greek Cypriot Americans.

[EPSILON]

News from Northern Cyprus

GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE AIMS TO CARRY CYPRUS PROBLEM TO 2009 BY SLOWING DOWN PROCESS

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the Greek Cypriot Administration was continuing to drag its feet on the Cyprus negotiations process in an attempt to carry the Cyprus Problem to 2009.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the start of the 2008-2009 academic year at the Middle East Technical University’s Cyprus Campus, the President underlined the need for the Turkish Cypriot Side to show the international community, mainly the European Union and the United Nations, how the Greek Cypriot Side was trying to slow down the talks.

“The Turkish Cypriot Side needs to overcome this obstacle. If it can’t then it must reveal to the European Union and the United Nations, the Greek Cypriot Side’s true intentions” he said.

Reminding that the Greek Cypriot Administration’s traditional policies were based on using the title of the so-called ‘Republic of Cyprus’ to isolate the Turkish Cypriot people from the rest of the world, the President warned that ongoing negotiations process was filled with difficult challenges.

Pointing out that a settlement to be found on the island will be the beginning of a new era in Cyprus, Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot people will experience a rapid economic and social growth under a new partnership based on political equality.

The President also underlined the important role universities in North Cyprus will play in achieving a lasting solution in Cyprus.

We have to wait for further 10-15 years for a solution. This is the time needed in order for G/Cs leadesrship to prepare the G/cs to accept that they are not Greeks but Cypriots ,same like the T/cs brothers and sisters.Then when the G/cs will be prepared (mindwashed) then any Annan or similar plan will be celebrated like the G/cs big victory and celebrations will start. Just some more time 10-15 years. Denktash estimated this period for G/cs preparation to about 35 years but he made wrong calculations-some more years is proved to be necessary.

[halil]

After completing his contacts in Ankara, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and his accompanying delegation returned to the TRNC this afternoon.

Evaluating his contacts at a press conference at Ercan Airport, the Premier said he had useful discussions with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Minister of State in charge of Cyprus Affairs Cemil Cicek.

the discussions were mainly focused on the Cyprus issue, Mr Soyer said they had the opportunity to witness the continuation of Turkey’s full support to the ongoing negotiations process in Cyprus.
He stressed that it is pleasing to share the same views with Turkish officials on reaching a conclusion in the negotiations process before the elections at the European Parliament and putting the document agreed by the two leaders into vote in both sides of Cyprus.

Noting that the economic and social problems being faced in the TRNC were also discussed with Turkish officials, Mr Soyer denied the claims that the delegation went to Ankara to ask for money to cover the budget deficit.

He explained that they exchanged views on how to improve the investment and employment in the country as well as how to help integrating into the international community.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Turgay Avci and Minister of Finance Ahmet Uzun during his contacts in Turkey.

[halil]

News from Northern Cyprus.

PM SOYER DENIES CLAIMS THAT VISIT WAS AIMED COVER BUDGET DEFICIT
Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has denied claims that he and his accompanying delegation had gone to Ankara to ask for financial assistance to cover the budget deficit.

He said that the TRNC delegation had exchanged views with Turkish officials on projects and measures aimed at minimizing the effects of the global financial crisis on the TRNC economy.

Evaluating his contacts at a press conference at Ercan Airport, yesterday, the Premier said he had useful discussions with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Minister of State in charge of Cyprus Affairs Cemil Cicek, mainly on the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem.

He said that he and his delegation had once again witnessed Turkey’s full support to the ongoing negotiations process carried out by President Mehmet Ali Talat.

The Prime Minister also said that they had a convergence in views with Turkish officials on reaching a peace deal before the European Parliament’s elections next year and putting the agreed settlement plan to the vote on both sides of the island with simultaneous referenda.

Noting that the economic and social problems being faced in the TRNC were also discussed with Turkish officials, Mr Soyer denied the claims that the delegation had gone Ankara to ask for money to cover the budget deficit.

“Such allegations are absolutely not true. Aware that such rumors could emerge, we arranged the visit to Turkey after presenting parliament with the 2009 budget” he added.

He said that their discussions with Turkish officials focused on ways of improving the investment climate in North Cyprus as well as increasing employment opportunities and opening the TRNC economy to world markets.

[halil]

NEGOTIATION PROCESS WILL CONTINUE WITH TWO MEETINGS BETWEEN TALAT AND CHRISTOFIAS

The first meeting between the two leaders will be held tomorrow and the second on Thursday.

The leaders launched the full-fledged negotiations on the 3rd of September with the aim of bringing about a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

The first topic of the negotiations is `Governance and Power Sharing` and last week Talat and Christofias continued to discuss the
federal executive and had a preliminary exchange of views on the legislature.

Tomorrow, the two leaders will continue negotiating the legislature.