EROGLU: “EUROPE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT IT SHOULD LIFT THE EMBARGOES”

Speaking the previous day TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, said the time has come for the world and EU countries, who have been imposing embargoes upon the Turkish Cypriot people for years, to understand their mistake and to re-evaluate the embargo that they have imposed, and they should understand that embargoes should be lifted.

Pointing out that the government places great importance on tourism and that the reality of tourism should be explained to the whole world, the Prime Minister said the tourism sector is being negatively affected by the embargoes imposed upon the TRNC and its people.

Stressing that the world should understand that the Turkish Cypriot people have the right to live humanely and should change its stance Prime Minister Eroglu said while all kinds of opportunities are being granted to the Greek Cypriot side, which staged an ethnic cleansing campaign, it is unacceptable that embargoes are being imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots.

Underlining the difficulties of continuing with tourism activities under these conditions and the difficulties which will be encountered on repaying the credits borrowed, the Prime Minister said the understanding shown by the government up until today will also continue for entrepreneurs and investors.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER GUL RECEIVES ASSOCIATION OF MARTYRS’ FAMILIES AND WAR VETERANS

The Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, yesterday received the representatives of the Association of Martyrs’ Families and War Veterans, who are currently having contacts in Ankara within the framework of events to mark the 29^th  anniversary of the Turkish Peace Operation in Cyprus.

Speaking during the meeting Gul said one day lasting peace would be achieved in Cyprus, but for this to happen this should be established on a real basis. He said: “Without tranquillity being disrupted again, it should continue with everyone respecting one another. This is what we are all striving to achieve”.

Expressing his hope that the positive steps taken by the TRNC and Turkey in this direction would be acknowledged by international public opinion, Gul said: “I hope that when the day comes and it is sat at the negotiating table with goodwill the path for a settlement will emerge which will secure mutual and equal sovereignty and not pave the way for a repetition of the problems experienced in the past”.

For his part the Chairman of the Association, Ertan Ersan, said from 1956 until 20 July 1974 the Turkish Cypriot people suffered greatly at the hands of the Greek Cypriots and would not accept living together with the Greek Cypriots in the future.