Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arif Hasan Tahsin Foundation, Şener Elcil, said that the political agreement between the two parties has settled for the opening of the Kiracıköy (Athienou), Akıncılar (Luricina), Haspolat (Mia Milla) checkpoints and to ease the congestion at the Kermiya (Agios Demetios) checkpoint, he however stated that the technical committees are not working as expected.
Elcil announced that the Greek Cypriot authorities have been calling for three months for the technical committees to meet, but the Turkish Cypriot side has not been responding to the calls.
Making a press statement in front of the Turkish Embassy yesterday, Elcil conveyed the developments regarding the package of 14 confidence-building measures announced by Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides three months ago.
The prominent developments are as follows:
1. Following application evaluations of 3500 Turkish Cypriot citizens, the Republic of Cyprus decided to grant Cypriot citizenship to 700 Turkish Cypriots in the first stage, and granted citizenship to 14 people.
2. The payment of widow pensions to entitled beneficiaries has been approved.
3. Access for Turkish Cypriot patients to the clinical services and medicine budgets being planned.
4. The Greek Cypriot side is waiting for the Turkish Cypriot side for a response in the strengthening of staffing at crossing points.
5. The number of personnel at the Kermiya (Ayios Demetios) checkpoint has been increased to ease congestion.
“CONDITIONAL YES TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOLAR POWER PLANT BY TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE”
In a statement, Elcil reminded that the European Union wants to establish a solar power plant that will serve both Turkish and Greek communities.
Şener Elcil said that the representative of the European Parliament came to the island for this purpose and a meeting was held, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side said conditionally yes to the establishment of the power plant and that they are willing to provide the energy from KIB-TEK to be produced here for South Cyprus.
Elcil said that the Turkish Cypriot side made a second suggestion, saying “Build two separate power plants, one for us and another for the Greek Cypriots”, and noted that both suggestions realized despite the impossible.
“The Turkish side is obstructing the solution” Elcil was cited as saying, regarding both the crossing points and the solar power plant, and noted that the opposition should bring it up during discussions.
More migrants and refugees are embarking on dangerous journeys across Africa towards the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea where Read more
Cryptocurrency market see over $500B evaporating since mid-June when Bitcoin's price last hit $70,000 The price of Bitcoin dove below Read more
