PRESIDENT REFUTED NEWS RELATED TO OPENING OF MARAS

President Dervis Eroglu stated that while the negotiation process continues it is not possible to take a step in an issue which should be the part of a comprehensive solution and refuted news related to the opening of the closed Maras.

In a statement he made to the BRT television President Eroglu said: “I don’t want to comment on the speculations in the press however as everyone knows Maras is an indivisible part of The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and our state is the only authority in Maras. However as the negotiations continue it is not possible to take a step in an issue which should be the part of a comprehensive solution.”

EGEMEN BAGIS: “I HAVE NO INFORMATION”

Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagıs said: “I have no information” related to the claims that the closed region Maras is going to be opened.

Answering the questions of journalists at one of his receptions Bagıs said: “I have not met President Eroglu during his last visit to Turkey. I have no information related to such a project. If there is such a thing than our Prime Minister shall make the necessary announcement at the proper time.”

CRITICAL WEEK AT THE CYPRUS NEGOTIATIONS

An important week has started for the negotiations continued between TRNC President DerviÅŸ EroÄŸlu and leader of Greek Cypriot administration Dimitris Christofias for finding a comprehensive solution to Cyprus problem.

The leaders will meet last time on Thursday before the report to be submitted to UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon by UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor Alexander Downer at the end of the month.

In the meeting to be held on Thursday, the leaders will try to finalize the property issue which was discussed by the special representatives. The sides have not agreed on property issue yet. Following the leaders meeting, Downer will inform the Security Council and will submit a report to Ban. According to the content of Downer’s report, Ban will decide whether he will make a call for a multilateral conference or not.

In his statements, President stated that they expected Downer to prepare a neutral report on Cyprus and expressed his hopes that Downer will prepare the report by knowing the positions of the sides in the negotiations, those who made proposals in the negotiation table and developed the mentioned proposals with the thought of agreement.

President Eroğlu stated that the Cyprus negotiations are coming to end step by step and in the current situations, the negotiations after 1st July will give no result and said “Unless an agreement is reached, we have something to do. We will share them with our people and the parliament”. He stated that the Turkish Cypriot side, which supports the call for multilateral meeting on Cyprus problem, can negotiate the issues which are not agreed on. On the other side, Greek Cypriot side opposes the international meeting organization without agreeing on internal issues.

On the other hand, TRNC President Eroğlu’s Special Representative Kudret Özersay and leader of Greek Cypriot administration Christofias’ Special Representative Yorgo Yakovu will continue to discuss property issue today.

A DELEGATION FROM THE PARLIAMENT IS GOING TO BRUSSELS

A delegation from the TRNC Parliament is going to Brussels to make contacts with the European Parliament High Level Contact Group and to follow the session of presentation of evaluation of Turkey’s progress report. UBP parliamentarian Hasan Taçoy and CTP Parliamentarian Teberrüken Uluçay are in the delegation.

GEÇİTKÖY DAM’S CONSTRUCTION IS STARTING ON FRIDAY

The Project which is called ‘Century’s Project’ will start with the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday. TRNC President Derviş Eroğlu, Premier İrsen Küçük, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs Beşir Atalay and Turkish Minister of Forestry and Water Works Veysel Eroğlu will attend to the groundbreaking ceremony.

The phases to be followed involve construction of land facilities and the 80-kilometer pipeline. The total pipeline will measure 107 kilometers from one dam to the other. The pipeline will provide 75 million cubic meters of water per year to North Cyprus.