IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, on 27-28 November 2015 paid a two-day visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for a series of high-level exchanges with key Turkish Cypriot officials. Zeytinoğlu was accompanied by IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, IKV Deputy Secretary General and Research Director Melih Özsöz and IKV Researcher Yeliz Şahin. The visit takes place in an environment conducive for reaching a settlement on the decades-old Cyprus issue. The latest developments in the ongoing UN-led reunification talks between the parties on the island were the main topic in the IKV delegation’s agenda. During their contacts in Nicosia and Kyrenia, the IKV Delegation gained a better understanding of the state of play in the UN-led re-unification talks. Furthermore, possibilities for cooperation were also discussed.

On the first day of their visit, the IKV delegation was received by the President of TRNC Mustafa Akıncı. During the meeting President Akıncı, confirmed that there is a positive atmosphere surrounding the UN-led Cyprus talks and that a solution to the long-lasting Cyprus issue is within reach. IKV President Zeytinoğlu informed President Akıncı about IKV’s research activities. The meeting which took place in the TRNC Presidential Palace was also attended by Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Erhan Erçin.

In the context of their visit to Nicosia, the IKV delegation was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of TRNC, Emine Çolak. Regarding the UN-led reunification talks, Minister Çolak confirmed that ‘there is light at the end of the tunnel’ and that the long-desired positive climate for the UN-led talks to succeed has finally emerged. Minister Çolak stated that during her contacts in Ankara she was able to observe that the Turkish government’s strong support for a settlement and indicated that this is a motivating factor. Emphasizing that an eventual settlement could emerge within months, Minister Çolak indicated there was a lot to be done. In this respect she stressed the importance of the establishment of an ad hoc EU Committee to prepare the TRNC for alignment with the EU acquis.

The IKV delegation also came together with the Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), Fikri Toros. During the meeting, Chairman Toros informed the IKV delegation about the activities carried out by the KTTO. Commenting about the ongoing efforts for finding a solution to the decades-old Cyprus issue, Chairman Toros stated that KTTO together with the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Industry engage in intensive lobbying efforts in Europe to draw attention to the possible trade and investment opportunities a solution could bring. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu informed Chairman Toros about the research and activities carried out by the IKV. Possibilities for cooperation between the two organizations were also discussed.

On the second day of their visit, the IKV delegation attended the “On the path to peace – Cyprus International Cooperation and Investment Summit” organized in Kyrenia under the auspices of the Prime Minister of TRNC, Ömer Kalyoncu. IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu delivered a speech in the summit. In his speech Chairman Zeytinoğlu stressed the prospective trade and investment opportunities a possible settlement could generate. Discussing the possible implications the settlement of the Cyprus issue can have on Turkey’s EU accession talks, IKV Chairman stated that with a solution to the Cyprus issue 14 chapters which have been previously suspended due to the Cyprus issue would be unblocked. In addition he stated that Turkey would be able to provisionally close the opened chapters. In that respect reaching a just and permanent settlement, would re-energize Turkey’s EU accession negotiations. Furthermore, IKV Chairman underscored that the prospective settlement of the Cyprus issue would not only put an end to the unjust the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community, but also contribute to the welfare and security in the Eastern Mediterranean basin.

In the margins of the summit, the IKV delegation met with Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry, Ali Çıralı. KTSO Chairman Çıralı informed the IKV delegation about the problems of the industrialists in TRNC.