Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (12.06.16) reports that addressing the opening ceremony of the 40th “international fair” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that the solution of the Cyprus problem is needed in order for this “fair”, at which only products of Turkish Cypriot and Turkish producers and exporters are exhibited, to be turned into a real international fair. Admitting that they have not been able to turn it into an “international fair” during the past 40 years, Akinci said: “The only reason for this is the Cyprus problem itself. I wish that when we refer to an international “fair” in the future [?] to be able to see and show in this country a fair in which other countries will also be included [?]. We should behave knowing that for this we have to solve the Cyprus problem [?]”.
Akinci noted that he needs everyone’s support at the negotiating table and that he will carry out the negotiations for finding a solution which will protect the legitimate rights and interests of both communities defending the equality, the security and the freedom of the Turkish Cypriot “people”.
Akinci argued that strengthening the economy and the democracy of the “TRNC” is a necessary precondition in order for the Turkish Cypriots to be able to stand on their own feet and face the conditions of competitiveness in the EU and in a federal Cyprus.
Akinci said that the important thing is for the Turkish Cypriots producing products at international standards, good quality and fair price. “I think that there is no obstacle which we will not be able to overcome when we do this in the time we live”, he argued and referring to the so-called embargoes allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots, he claimed:
“Yes, there are some unfair situations created by the embargoes. For example, there are really serious differences between the transport price of a container in the south going from the one place to the other and our come and go prices. These are elements which make competition difficult. [?] However, it is now possible during these times to find the way of selling the products we produce in good quality, good standards and fair price. We are living in a global village now and there are some advantages which are created by this and did not exist in the past [?]”
Referring to the energy resources in Eastern Mediterranean, Akinci reiterated the view that Turkey is the shortest, wisest and most rational way for transferring these resources to the markets and alleged that formulas outside this [choice] will create bigger costs and last longer. He further argued that a solution in Cyprus will turn Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots into “indisputable parts of this energy balance” in Eastern Mediterranean.
Akinci described as an important project the transport of the Israeli and Cypriot natural gas to Europe through Turkey after the solution in Cyprus and the approach between Turkey and Israel which he said he hopes to be announced soon. He added that everybody knows that efforts are exerted for transferring electricity from Israel to Greece and Europe through Cyprus with undersea cables and claimed that this would be an “unnecessary spending of money and time”.
Referring to the water brought from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci described it as extremely important and noted that it will be used both for drinking and agricultural purposes. He further recalled of statements made by Turkish officials that the Greek Cypriots could also benefit from this water in the future.