IRCICA Newsletter, issue 82-83

Islamic Civilisation in the Mediterranean Conference
(Leoşa/Nicosia, TRNC)
IRCICA and the Institute for Islamic Research and
Intercultural Dialogue, Near East University (Lefkoşa/
Nicosia, Turkish Republic of North Cyprus) jointly organised
an international conference on “Islamic Civilisation in the
Mediterranean”. The conference was opened with the message
of TRNC President H.E. Mr. Derviş Eroğlu read by the
President’s spokesman Mr. Osman Ertuğ.
President Eroğlu referred, in his message, to the history of the
Muslim Turkish Community in Northern Cyprus and to the
efforts made by the community to preserve its Muslim identity
and heritage. He informed the audience about the current
situation of the reunification talks over Cyprus and said that
Turkish Cypriot side will go in good faith to Geneva for the
tripartite meeting planned for January: UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon will bring together Eroglu and Greek Cypriot
leader Mr. Demetris Christofias in a move to find a solution to
decades-long Cyprus problem. The Turkish Cyrpiot President
told the Islamic countries that Turkish Cypriots need their
support more than ever for a fair and long-lasting solution. He
thanked the Organisation of the Islamic Conference for issuing
resolutions on the Cyprus issue over the years.
The message of Foreign Minister Mr. Hüseyin Özgürgün
was read by Undersecretary Mr. Aytuğ Plümer. The Minister
expressed his belief that the conference on Islamic Civilisation
in the Mediterranean will throw light on the riches and the
depth of this civilization and create a positive environment
atmosphere.
The opening ceremony also heard Mr. Hasan Bozer, Speaker
of the Parliament of the TRNC, the message of H.E. Prof.