GAU Business and Economy Faculty have organized a seminar about the Latest Step in Process of Political and Economic Relations between EU and TRNC.


Seminar was held in GAU Senate Congress Hall in Millennium Building. Chancellor of TRNC Prime Ministry EU Coordination Center Dr. Erhan Erçin has attended the seminar as a spokesman.


After the speech of the head of business department Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serdar Saydam the seminar had begun with a live broadcast of GAU TV.


“Non-recognition is the biggest problem between EU-TRNC Relations”
Erçin has commenced his speech by pointing out the complicated relationship between EU and TRNC. He also stated that as a country which is not recognized by the international law and nevertheless continued relation of systematic, coordinated and structural between EU-TRNC since February 2004 till today, had several difficulties in regards.


Erçin emphasized that detailed analysis must be undertaken while evaluating the process years before and after 2004. He also stated that first official relationship between the EU and Cyprus Republic in 1990 and with the summit held in the Greek island named Korfu in 1994 and the process which Turkey was then in made easier for Turkey to join Customs Union, and Cypriot Greeks to join Europe.


“-Turkey Neglected Turkish Cypriots- Is an Incorrect Approach”
Erçin emphasized that the dissertations related to negligence or disregard of Turkey’s Prime Minister of that time are not correct. He said that Turkey had no decision making mechanism about the process and the situation occurred is a natural result of the signed Customs Union in 1963.


According to Erçin either Customs Union or unilateral biased behavior of Greeks made EU to take part in process and situation directly and yet for the first time EU was an agent in Cyprus process in that period. Erçin emphasized that decision taken by the EU Foreign Affairs Council related to “lifting of isolations” by officially and top-end means in 26th April 2004, is important about both the process


“Political Crises occurred in North Cyprus blocked Turkey’s Adaptation Period”
Erçin stated that EU taken Greeks in unilateral memberships due to referendums and crises occurred during the process and also stated that the political crises avoid progress therefore blocks adaptation period for Turkey in EU. He also emphasized that Cyprus Turkish side is achieving to explain itself better than before and underlined that the “economic supports” which Greeks are trying undermine is yet the proof of successful politics and greatest sign of achievement.


“Despite The Non-Recognition Our Nation Standards Should Be In EU Level”Erçin also stated that EU which is the power center for economic and political stability tries to raise welfare level and life quality of Turkish Cypriots by undertaking important steps. Landfill problem, Girne and Güzelyurt drainage network, scholarships provided to more than 500 students for abroad education, and preventing water salinization with water treatment systems are some examples of EU’s work. Despite the non-recognition, nation standards are trying to be raised in EU level by working and producing.


At the end of the seminar Erçin has been presented with an appreciation plaque by Rector Prof. Dr. Yıldırım Öner.