The “Cyprus Negotiations”, which is the most important topic of the agenda, were discussed in detail with specialist journalists as part of the Girne American University (GAÜ) 2013/2014 Academic Year’s events.

The Seminar, which was held with the contribution of Hurriyet Diplomacy Columnist - Zeynep Gürcanlı, Hurriyet Daily News Columnist - Yusuf Kanlı, Akşam Columnist - Mahmut Gürer, touched upon issues such as - what do the Cyprus negotiations entail, what will it bring and what will happen if the treaty were signed.

The opening speech was conducted by GAU Rector - Prof. Dr. Yıldırım Öner who stated that the status of higher education institutions in the TRNC, are at international level and noted that it is the result of the education policy that is carried out. Öner mentioned that GAU has students from 85 different countries and lecturers from over 45 different countries, and emphasized that despite the fact that the TRNC has no worldwide recognition, GAU has undermined this fact and gained an international identity.

In her speech, Hurriyet Diplomacy Columnist - Zeynep Gürcanlı stressed that for a long time the issue of Turkey's agenda was very different but lately the Cyprus issue has been brought to the agenda again. Gürcanlı said that recently Turkish public opinion and journalists have started to generate thoughts on this issue.

Gürcanlı expressed that with the AK party period of Turkey, a new foreign policy is applied, and said that it will be a zero-problem policy under the leadership of Davutoglu. Zeynep Gürcanlı talked about Turkey’s position and foreign relations, and expressed that Turkey gives great importance to the peace process of Cyprus.

Also Gürcanlı, who spoke of the peace process in her speech, stated that at the point of ensuring the process Turkey’s relations with the West will grow stronger; when it is revised from the Turkish perspective whether the peace process will progress or not, Turkey’s overview is that it will progress and expressed that if there will be a settlement in the upcoming months, the cases can progress with stability and if not Turkey has already launched a huge campaign for the recognition of the TRNC and stated that the campaign needs to be worked on. She also stressed that the U.S. shares common thoughts with Turkey on this issue and believes that a possible compromise will provide prosperity to both communities.

In his speech, Hurriyet Daily News Columnist - Yusuf Kanlı stated that Cyprus is a country which is slipping away, one with a high fragility. Kanlı stated that a general opinion is made and 65% of the TRNC wants peace, and stressed that if ever the Greek side says “yes”, the Turkish side will say yes assuredly. Kanlı stressed that the negotiations which are already processed, are better and more important than the Annan plan, and stated that the agreement which will be signed, will be an agreement that provides the TRNC’s sovereignty.

Mahmut Gürer who is a Reporter of Akşam, stated in his speech that, Turkey looks to Cyprus on three issues which are political, military and economic. Gürer expressed that Turkey’s overview of Cyprus changed after the Annan Plan and became more interested in the matter. Also Gürer stated that the Peace Water Project has great importance in ensuring the peace, and emphasized that the island needs water and along with this project, economic empowerment will take place with its every aspect.
At the end of the Seminar; Hurriyet Diplomacy Columnist - Zeynep Gürcanlı, Hurriyet Daily News columnist - Yusuf Kanlı, and Akşam Columnist - Mahmut Gürer were presented with a plaque for their participation by GAU Rector Prof. - Dr. Yıldırım Öner.