15 November, which marks the 21^st anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, has been celebrated with ceremonies throughout the TRNC. Speaking at the ceremony at Dr. Fazýl Kucuk Boulevard, Turkish State Minister responsible for Cyprus Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the Turkish Government, expressed his pleasure for being in the TRNC on behalf of his government.

Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener, stating that the Turkish Cypriot people has passed over the great barriers in their path towards freedom and by proclaiming the independence of the TRNC on 15 November 1983, gave a very important decision, underlined that since this date, the TRNC has been the basic element of peace and stability on the island. Sener said that TRNC was one of the equal founders of just and lasting peace based on equal partnership on the island.

Sener emphasised that the Turkish Cypriots by saying "yes" to the UN comprehensive settlement plan, have done their best and made every effort for a just and viable solution on the island while the Greek Cypriot side overwhelmingly refused the plan. Sener said that on the 24^th April's simultaneous referendums the Greek Cypriot leadership showed once more that it was not ready to establish a partnership based on the equality of the two sides and that it sees the Turkish Cypriot people as a 'minority' on the island. Sener added that after the results taken from the 24^th April referendums everybody has realised which side on the island wanted solution and which side prevented it.

Sener stressed that it was now the responsibility of the international community to put into life what it promised to the Turkish Cypriots. Calling upon the international community to lift the embargoes and the isolation that the Turkish Cypriot people face in every field, Sener said: "It is the high time for the promises and commitments given by the international community to be fulfilled. In this respect, we are following the studies being done by the European Union and expect these to be resulted positively and put into practice very soon".

Stating that Turkey would continue to support the TRNC in every field, Sener said it was their main aim to upgrade the TRNC's economy to a level where it would be able to compete internationally.

Speaking after Abdullatif Sener, President Rauf Denktas, stating that he was speaking on the ceremony of the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for the last time as "President", he bid farewell to his people, but emphasised that he was returning among his people to struggle together with them for the national cause and that he would support the new President to be elected next year (2005).

"If you share the same excitement as me and hold your heads up by feeling the trust of this excitement and if you say that you will exist as the TRNC, today is your day", President Denktas said.

Referring to the Turkish Cypriots struggle since 1955 and the enthusiasm felt with the arrival of Turkish troops to the island in 1974, President Denktas said the same determination and enthusiasm should continue today.

Explaining that the world was still seeing Cyprus as a single state and people and was not supporting the Turkish Cypriots, President Denktas said the Turkish Cypriot people should declare to the world openly, that they were not intending to let-go of their statehood, sovereignty and flag. He said: "Speaking the world's language cannot be through surrendering our state and sovereignty. World's language is the language of independence, unifications mean the unification of independent and sovereign entities".

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people was ready to unite with the Greek Cypriots on the basis of the fact that the TRNC's state was existing and of sovereignty, President Denktas said the unification should not be by eliminating the TRNC's independence and not by being patched to the so called Greek Cypriot state.

President Denktas pointed out that nobody should forget that the right to determine Cyprus' faith belonged to two separate equal and sovereign people.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot leadership should apologise from the Turkish Cypriots and give up on its game to become the sole owner of Cyprus, President Denktas said otherwise whatever initiatives the Turkish Cypriot side takes it would not be able to get results from these. He added that everyone should know that the Turkish Cypriots would never forget the years between 1963-74.

Continuing, President Denktas addressing to the Turkish Cypriot people said:

"You have trusted me in every stage since 1958, you have supported me in every election as your voice. The day has come and you elected me as the President and you gave me the mission of negotiating for years. I believe that I acted right with the trust and belief I got from you. Your "yes" votes are being misinterpreted in a way to suggest that Turkish Cypriots are ready to relinquish their statehood and sovereignty. You should struggle against this and make your voice heard. You should say ' I exist and will continue to exist' against this as you did between the years 1963-74. I will return among you, my people, who will make their voices heard. I will continue to struggle together with you…"

President Rauf Denktas on Sunday (14 November) received Pakistan's former President F. Leghari who visited the TRNC within the framework of the celebrations of the TRNC's 21^st anniversary.

No statement was made following the meeting, which took place at the Presidency.

Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the Greens Society in Europe, in general, supported the Turkish Cypriots.

In his statement made yesterday (16 November) during his meeting with German Greens Party headed by Greens Party Minister Ozcan Mutlu, Prime Minister Talat said the Greens Party's actions against the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots and the human rights violations have started long time ago and that a member of the Green Party to become the Prime Minister in Germany was a great opportunity.

Explaining that the financial aid and direct trade regulations for the Turkish Cypriots which came on the agenda after the 24^th April referendum was prevented by the intensive pressure of the Greek Cypriot administration, Prime Minister Talat said this result was positive to the effect that it showed the true colours of the Greek Cypriots.

Drawing attention to the fact that the world and Europe has acknowledged the realities on the island, Prime Minister said implementing the necessary politics in line with these realities was delayed because of bureaucratical difficulties but he believed that these difficulties would be overcome soon.

Pointing out that German Greens Party Minister Ozcan Mutlu has visited the TRNC before, and that during those days the Turkish Cypriot people were taking initiatives to protect their own will, Prime Minister Talat said the Turkish Cypriots had clearly proved that they were in favour of peace and reunification.

For his part, Ozcan Mutlu pointing out that this was his second visit to the TRNC, said after two years he had the opportunity to see the positive developments which took place on the island.

Stating that today, the people of North Cyprus were looking towards the future more hopefully and there had been an obvious development in the TRNC's economy, Mutlu said Europe should done what is necessary for the Turkish Cypriot people who have strongly displayed their will.

Explaining that they will directly inform the German Prime Minister about the information they obtained during this visit regarding the developments following the referendum, Mutlu stressed that Germany and German Prime Minister's views and words were important and effective in the EU.

Pointing out that as the Greens Party they would do their best to stop the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people who voted for "yes", Mutlu said they hoped to see Mehmet Ali Talat as the Prime Minister of the TRNC in Germany as soon as possible.