CYPRUS PEACE TALKS TO RESUME SOON
- NewArticle
- Published:10 Şubat 2011, Perşembe
- Updated:10 Şubat 2011, Perşembe
Peace talks to resolve the conflict in ethnically split Cyprus, an obstacle to Turkey's EU membership, will be intensified in coming weeks, a UN official said on Wednesday.
Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu have agreed to a schedule of weekly meetings and their aides twice a week, United Nations special envoy Alexander Downer said.
"The Secretary-General discussed the issue with the leaders and they all agreed it would be valuable to intensify the talks, and to keep the momentum going in the process," said Downer, a former Australian foreign minister appointed to oversee the slow-moving Cyprus talks process in 2008.
The conflict is harming Turkey's bid to join the European Union, where the island is represented by its Greek Cypriots who will not acquiesce to Ankara joining until there is a deal on the island.
The United Nations has shown an increased engagement in Cyprus in the past year, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meeting its leaders twice in the past three months.
Downer said Ban wanted to meet with the leaders again soon for an update on talks. Diplomats say this meeting is tentatively scheduled for late March to early April. In the meantime, Ban was expected to give the Security Council a report on the state of play in talks this month. In his last report in November 2010, he warned that negotiations ran the risk of "foundering fatally" if a deal were not brokered by this June because of Turkish and Greek Cypriot parliamentary elections.
- Turks in New York protest CNN coverage
The Turkish-American ‘Everything for Turkey Platform’, left a black wreath which read "The Turkish public will never forget CNN’s manipulations” in front of the CNN building in New York on Saturday.
- Turks residing in the U.S. to hold rally against Taksim protesters
A foundation entitled the “Every Thing for Turkey Platform” (Her şey Türkiye İçin Platformu) has announced they will be holding a demonstration in New York aimed at preserving Turkey’s best interests.
- Is the Iran media seeking chaos in Turkey?
Muhammed Alabasy, who has been working for Iran’s Al Alam television station for the past eight years of his 36-year career in journalism, has resigned due to being pressured to use the term “Turkish Spring” in reference to the nationwide protests in Turkey.
- “Assad who exceeded his father will pay the price”
Prime Minister Erdoğan, whose trip took him to Algeria criticized Assad stating that “His father massacred Humus. His son is doing far more. These workings are not forgivable.”
- Assad: The missiles have arrived
Syrian President Assad has announced that they have reaceived the initial delivery of S-300 missiles from Russia. Russian Defense Minister Shoigu stated “Russia may deliver new assault weapons to Syria.
- Syria summit planned for end of June
A meeting between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the upcoming second Geneva Conference which aims to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria failed to reap a precise date for when the summit will actually take place.
- Ban lifted on offering arms to Syria’s opposition
After a marathon negotiating session of EU Foreign Ministers, a ban on arming the Syrian opposition in order to protect the innocent public has in effect been lifted. England’s unyielding stance in favor of the embargo’s expiration was influential in the decision-making process.
- Iran provides Assad financial support
Iran has issued a four billion-dollar worth credit to Syria.
- Assad’s chemical use caught red-handed
The allegations the Syrian regime is using chemical warfare against the opposition, which have been put forth by Turkey, the United States and Israel, have now been confirmed. Reporters from Le Monde which spent months on the opposition front lines say the weapons are being masked by tear gas to make detection that much harder.
- Suu Kyi comes to defense of Muslims in Myanmar
Myanmar opposition leader and pro-democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi condemned on Monday a policy by a district government to limit Muslim Rohingya families to two children in an effort to curb their population growth, calling it both discrimination and going against human rights.
- “Wars are not won at the table”
President of the Syrian National Council George Sabra says they are not hopeful regarding Geneva II and that there is no way they will attend a conference while the situation in Syria remains as it is. “You win a war on the battlefield and not at the table,” says Sabra.
- Obama warns Myanmar on killings of Muslims
Days after Prime Minister Erdoğan called on U.S. President Obama to take action against the ongoing massacres suffered by Muslims in Myanmar, during a meeting held in the Oval Office of the White House, the U.S. leader hosted Myanmar President Thein Sein for a meeting in the very same location.
- The transitional period handed over to Tlass
It has come to light that the United States and Russia have agreed on having Manaf Tlass, the most influential commander to turn his back on the Assad regime, to preside over the transitional period in Syria. Tlass, will be brought on to take command of the rebel forces under the United States and Russia’s control to undertake negotiations with the Assad regime.
- Barzani issues stern warning and PYD backs down
Upon a stern warning by Iraqi Kurdish Regional leader Barzani, the PKK’s Syrian offshoot, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), has released 75 Kurdish politicians from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) that were abducted by the organization last week.
