Technical Committees Continue Their Work As A Part Of Cyprus Talks

LEFKOSA - Ergun Olgun, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Presidential Undersecretary and the General Coordinator of Technical Committees formed as a part of Cyprus talks, said on Friday that 58 laws had been taken up since the negotiations started on February 19.
TRNC and Greek Cypriot side started Cyprus negotiations on February 19 to find a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus issue till May 1 on the basis of United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan.
Olgun held a joint press conference with Kudret Akay, Emine Erk and Hakki Muftuzade, who all worked in the committees, to give information about the three-week work of the committees.
TRNC Presidential Undersecretary Olgun said that there were issues on which consensus could not be reached and noted that those issues would be settled by the politicians.
Pointing out that it could be difficult to complete 114 laws which the Greek Cypriot side wanted to be passed, Olgun said that the committees could prolong its work in case leaders asked them to do so.
Noting that committees were working in nine groups, Olgun stated that the group working on administrative and institutional issues and taking up foreign affairs and penal code, dealt with 14 laws this week.
Olgun noted that the group which was dealing with police and citizenship affairs, immigration and refuge evaluated 11 laws this week.
The committee working on maritime and natural resources dealt with 29 laws this week, Olgun pointed out.
Olgun recalled that this committee should deal with 48 laws on maritime.
Although the group taking up economy and finance handled only one law this week, it discussed the principles this week, Olgun stated.
Olgun noted that another committee dealt with other laws on historical artifacts and had discussed four laws so far.
The committee handling European Union (EU) adjustment laws formed by the Prime Ministry continued its work, Olgun stated.
Olgun pointed out that the committees on temporary buildings where temporary federal institutions would work and staff to work in those institutions also continued its work.
Committee dealing with flag had convened five times while the committee dealing with national anthem held two meetings, Olgun said.
Olgun noted that the committee on international agreements completed its work, ended translation of about 240 agreements made by TRNC and gave them to the Greek Cypriot side.
Two sides were examining the agreements presented to each other and preparing their objections to those agreements at the moment, Olgun said.
Olgun pointed out that works would continue till March 22, a date foreseen by the U.N.
Their target was to complete all prior laws till then, Olgun said.
Olgun added that they did not have much time till March 22 and it would be difficult to complete about 114 laws mentioned by the Greek Cypriot side.
(BRC) 12.03.2004