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TRNC'S 21ST ANNIVERSARY TO BE CELEBRATED
15 November,
which marks the 21st anniversary of the proclamation of the TRNC
will be celebrated with various activities and ceremonies taking place
throughout the TRNC. Within this framework, 53 guests from 16 countries,
including Turkey, have been invited to attend the ceremonies in the TRNC.
In addition to
a piano and cello recital by Eren Gullu and Naile Ilgaz at the Bellapais
Monastery on 16 November, the Turkish Air Forces Commandorate's Acrobatic
Team, "The Turkish Stars", will also perform an air show on 15 November.
A "Republic
Folk Dances Fair" has also been organized by the TRNC Ministry for National
Education and Culture and dancers from the TRNC, Turkey and Bulgaria will be
participating in the Fair.
PRIME MINISTER TALAT'S ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE
"INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION WILL END, WE'LL ENTER EU WITH OUR HEADS HELD HIGH"
Prime Minister
Mehmet Ali Talat in a television address to the Turkish Cypriot people on 10
November said the international isolation imposed upon the Turkish Cypriot
people would end, the TRNC would enter the EU with its head held high, and
that the necessary investments for infrastructure and reforms would be
carried out in the TRNC. He said this was the government's duty to all those
Turkish Cypriots who voted 'yes' for peace and EU membership.
Pointing out
that it was recorded that Turkish Cypriots would be represented in the
European Council and the doors for TRNC municipalities to be represented
were also opened, Prime Minister Talat said that, even though progress on
the path towards ending the isolation, ensuring direct trade with the EU as
well as direct flights was long and difficult, some progress had been
achieved. He said no matter what the difficulties were the Turkish Cypriot
people would never think of turning back on this road.
Explaining that
during the last 5 months extensive international efforts had been spent to
end the Turkish Cypriot peoples' economic, social and cultural isolation,
the Prime Minister said the government had engaged in many initiatives at
both an EU level as well as encouraging international lobby studies. He said
after 65 per cent of the Turkish Cypriot people had shown their devotion to
the "Settlement and EU" vision by voting 'yes' in the 24 April 2004
referendum they deserved to be treated as an equal partner of the EU.
Continuing, the
Prime Minister said the peaceful stance and rights of the Turkish Cypriot
people was, for the first time, recorded in the UN Secretary-General, Kofi
Annan's, report and it was also stated that there was no longer any need for
the 40-year long isolation imposed upon the Turkish Cypriot people to
continue.
ARAFAT'S DEATH….
PRIME MINISTER TALAT CONVEYS HIS CONDOLENCES TO PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS: "IT'S A GREAT LOSS…WE SHARE PALESTINIAN
PEOPLES' PAIN"
The death of
Palestinian Leader, Yassar Arafat, has saddened the TRNC and today will be a
day of mourning in the TRNC, with all flags being hoisted at half-mast.
Arafat will be buried today (12 November) in Ramallah.
Prime Minister
Talat expressed his sadness for Arafat's death and conveyed his condolences
to the Palestinian people and Arafat's family. The Prime Minister said: "We
are deeply saddened by Arafat's death, who has been a symbol in the
Palestinian peoples' struggle for independence".
The Deputy
Prime Ministry and Ministry for Foreign Affairs issued a message following
Arafat's death and expressed its sadness at his death.
The message
said:
"The death of a
great statesman Yassar Arafat, who devoted his life for the struggle of the
Palestinian peoples' sovereignty and independence is a great loss.
His exemplary
efforts have been an example for all people struggling for independence and
freedom. In every stage of its national struggle, the Turkish Cypriot people
have felt the fearless spirit of Arafat and the Palestinian people and
gained strength from them in continuing its struggle for existence.
The TRNC
Government and people, deeply shares the pain of the Palestinian people and
reiterates their support for the solidity and ability of the Palestinian
people in their just cause".
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