After his election as the TRNC's second president in the 17 April Presidential elections, Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday (24 April) started his new duty after taking the oath at the extraordinary meeting of the TRNC Assembly.

Following the ceremony, 21 cannon shots were fired and President Talat laid wreaths at the Ataturk and Dr. Fazil Kucuk monuments in Lefkosa. Later, President Talat went to the Presidency for the handing over ceremony.

After the speeches were made, President Talat handed over the presidential flag to the TRNC's First President Rauf Denktas.

Representatives attended the handing over ceremony, which was a first in the TRNC's history, from the Turkish Republic and the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Gul.

The full text of President Talat's inaugural speech during the handing over ceremony is as follows:

"Distinguished guests and colleagues,
My dear Turkish Cypriot people,

Today is a very special day, for a new era has opened in the history of Cyprus. Today not only marks a presidential inauguration; it is also the first anniversary of the referendum in which 65% of the Turkish Cypriot people raised their voices to say "yes" to a solution in Cyprus and to accession to the European Union… And it is also an extraordinary day in my own life. It gives me great pleasure to have been elected by the Turkish Cypriot people in a single round of voting, to the office of President; and I thank you from my heart for the trust you have shown in me. At the same time, this is a humbling moment, for a great responsibility has been laid on my shoulders: to change the course of the tides and waters of history. I come to this office in the knowledge of why you have charged me with this task, and with the promise and the goal of working to serve our people.

The debt of gratitude owed to my predecessor Mr. Rauf Denktash, the first President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, goes without saying. The lengthy and intense work of Mr. Denktash, his weathering of stormy and difficult times, his contributions to building our community, will take their place in history. We wish him all health and happiness for the rest of his life.

Distinguished guests,
My dear people,

Throughout history, the inhabitants of Cyprus have heard the sound of the sea’s waves whispering on our shores. The voice of the sea reminds us that we live on an island; yet at the same time, speaking in our hearts and minds, it always reminds us that no person is an island of loneliness. To sailors thousands of years ago, the sound of the waves was a call to open up to the world. And as we know from our own history, no life can be lived in isolation; the sea is a pathway to new horizons.

Expressing their deep-rooted desire to embrace the world and adhere to the principles of international law, the Turkish Cypriot people have reiterated, in every election and referendum over the last few years, that justice cannot be served if a people is constrained to live in isolation. We have reached a point where words and promises can no longer suffice: the international community has a responsibility to respond now, and with deeds and actions, to the demonstrated willingness of the Turkish Cypriot people to integrate with the world in peace, democracy, and friendship. For this is a people who have proven their right not to be cut off from the world and punished, but on the contrary, to be welcomed and honoured.

We are here. We stand here in the north of Cyprus, at a crossroads of great historical eras and an intersection of far-ranging geographies. For thousands of years our island has been home to the civilizations of East and West. And now the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots, and the minority groups who share this common history and heritage, have arrived at a turning-point. A point where we must create a new Cyprus within the European Union, for our common future and the future of our children.

As Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, we must learn from the lessons of past history and study what is expected of us in the twenty-first century. If one is a member of the European Union merely on paper, this does not mean one is European. And to be a member of the European Union does not mean to use this membership as an international instrument for discriminatory, racist, authoritarian, or uncompromising policies towards other communities, especially in one’s own country. The "European Solution" that is constantly called for by Mr. Papadopoulos, the leader of the Greek Cypriot community, has no other intention than to erase the Turkish Cypriots from history by depriving them of their rights of partnership and equality on the island; it is not a "solution," nor is it in any sense "European." Mr. Papadopoulos’s uncompromising policy, as he has clearly demonstrated, is not only a means for preventing Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots from living together in peace; it is also a means for obstructing peaceful relations between Cyprus, Europe, and the rest of the world. The Turkish Cypriots have chosen not to be slaves to history, but instead, to create a new history. Today they are calling on the Greek Cypriots to join them, to write this history together. They have elected me to this office to speak for them, and to sound this call for peace.

Although the Greek Cypriot community has been caught in a storm because their own captain steered the wrong course, we will not abandon them and leave them to be engulfed by the rising waves. To the Greek Cypriot people we are holding out a hand of brotherhood, friendship, and peace; and we shall continue to do so, for we are all in the same ship together. And we shall repeat our call for a just and lasting solution based on the political equality of both communities, until we persuade them that we must continue this voyage together for the sake of Cyprus, our common homeland.

We repeat, and shall keep repeating our call to the guarantor powers of Cyprus – Turkey, Greece, and Britain – that they continue to support efforts for a solution under the good offices of the U.N. Secretary-General. We shall continue to meet our responsibilities and show our good intentions towards establishing a unified Cyprus whose membership in the European Union will also include the northern part of the island, and protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. We see it as a necessity that the Greek Cypriot side comply with the requests of the U.N. Secretary-General to begin negotiations; and as imperative that the international community, the European Union and the countries of the world play a more active role in this process, and bring to an end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

Finding a solution to the Cyprus problem will send a message of hope and expedite peace processes all over the world, particularly those that are occupying the United Nations in the Middle East and the Balkans. For the sea that surrounds our island does not separate us from the rest of the world, but unites us with three continents. Constantly reminds us of our common destiny with Turkey. On behalf of my people, I have to thank the Republic of Turkey, whose presence we always feel beside us through the good times and the bad, in support and solidarity. Turkey is taking steps towards membership in the European Union, following Ataturk’s principles and aims of "peace at home, peace in the world" and "attaining the level of a modern civilization." It will continue to be the most trustworthy companion of the Turkish Cypriots, and our common voyage across the open seas will continue.

Distinguished citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,

I am here on your behalf, speaking in the name of all Turkish Cypriot citizens, regardless of origin. I am here to realize your clearly declared will to achieve peace and democracy, and a solution and European Union membership. I shall not forget for a moment whom I am representing and why I am here, as President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, at the helm of the ship of Cyprus. I will follow the path shown by the compass you have placed in my hands. I salute you all with the confidence and the determination to create a European country founded on peace, prosperity and brotherhood, for our children and for future generations."

In his farewell speech the TRNC's first President Rauf Denktas, after handing over the presidency to Mehmet Ali Talat, said: "When one stays at a certain duty for a long period of time this creates an expectation amongst the people. People expect and deserve much better, especially like the Turkish people who have been forced to live under embargoes and pressures seek change." He added that by believing in this the Turkish Cypriot people trusted Mehmet Ali Talat and elected him to be the TRNC's second President.

Conveying his best wishes to President Talat, the First President Rauf Denktas stated that President Talat was lucky because he has taken over a 21 year old state. Underlining that President Talat’s duty was to protect and preserve the TRNC state and embrace the sovereignty, the former President said, today, President Talat has taken the oath in this direction.

Wholeheartedly thanking his people Denktas addressed the people and said: "My self-sacrificing, beautiful people who are heartily bound to their motherland Turkey. You trusted and supported me for years. Today you are giving a 21 year old state to the new President. We will help him in this hard and honourable duty, our people will also support and help him."

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot people were a sovereign people who embraced and would continue to embrace their sovereignty, Denktas said: "the flag has not fallen from the sky for 21 years. The president’s duty is to keep the flag in the sky and under the glorious shadow of the sky to achieve better days for our people. Once more I sincerely thank and congratulate him." Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people had elected Mehmet Ali Talat as President at a time when the Greek Cypriot side had announced 2005 as being the "EOKA Year" and when some high ranking Greek Cypriot politicians were educating and arming the Greek Cypriot youth to massacre the Turkish Cypriots and at a time when they had confessed to enforcing the Akritas Plan, Denktas turning to President Talat said:

"You are luck because our people is are the stage of making a new evaluation. We always desired peace and conciliation but one that would not be destroyed and a lead to a repetition of the events of 1963. It is for this reason that we worked towards becoming one of the owners in the partnership, where previously we were the equal partner and which the Greek Cypriots destroyed for Enosis..

The decisions of the Turkish Grand National Assembly were also being confirmed by the Turkish Chief of General Staff Full-General Hilmi Ozkok several days ago. There are two people who each have the right to self-determination. A settlement will be made by protecting the rights of these two people.

Greek Cypriots headed by the architect and enforcer of the Akritas Plan, Papadoupulos, have taken a big step and with the courage of being an EU member are now reopening some old accounts. This is power in your hands, use it.

We want peace but not one that will remain on paper with the same people. You have the power to say this, the people support you and will continue to support you.

We will help you because we love this state and the people who established it through hardship and with their lives …"

The First President Rauf Denktash referring to his meeting with the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who was in the TRNC to attend the handing over ceremony, said the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gul had said to him that Ankara would continue to support the Turkish Cypriot people’s just cause and while working for peace would not ignore these people.

On addressing Papadopuolos, Denktas stressed that he should understand and accept that Cyprus has two owners. Hoping that Papadoupolos would not misuse President Talat and the government’s good intentions and would not put obstacles in front of the Turkish Cypriot people’s path towards reconciliation, Denktas said "Papadopoulos, open the path".

Denktas stating that they wanted compensation for what the Greek Cypriots had done to them between 1963-74, said this was their fundamental right and they were determined on this issue.

Pointing out that he did not believe wanted Papadopuolos peace, Denktas addressed Papadopuolos and said:

"We find your remarks to the effect that from 1963 to 1974 no Turkish Cypriot was killed, very strange and we want you to apologize on behalf of all the hundreds of Turkish Cypriots who are in mass graves… you lied, denied and ignored your own work. If you want peace, which I don’t believe you want, and if you think you can be the owner of the whole of Cyprus under the title which you claim is the "Government ýf the Cyprus Republic" that you usurped, you should know that Turkishness will not permit this. Cyprus has two owners. We were one of the partners, and now based on our title deeds we want to be good neighbours and partners again.

Mr. Papadopoulos we want to be compensated for what you did between 1963-74. This is our basic right and we are determined on this issue. Unless you compensate us, accept what you did and apologize, you cannot proceed along the path to peace.

I hope you will not abuse the good intentions of Mr. Talat and his government. This should be an opportunity for you. By hiding behind the false title of the "Legitimate Cyprus Government, which you also know is illegal, and Security Council resolutions you cannot obstruct the path for peace for all those people who want peace and reconciliation. Open the path Mr. Papadopoulos, so that neither your mothers nor mine cry. It's possible to live in peace as long as you acknowledge that you are not the legitimate government of the whole of Cyprus. You already know this, you just have to confess to it.

By protecting Turkey's rights it is possible to enter the European Union as two neighbours.

Mr. Papadopoulos, you wasted years, brought suffering on your people and the time has come to give up this mentality. We would be pleased if we could see you walking down the path to peace hand in hand with Mr. Talat, and on the condition of being compensated we would try to forget what you did."

The TRNC's first President Rauf Dentkas concluded his speech as follows:

"This is a glorious day. Everyone who is living this day is living history. I sincerely thank and express my gratitude to the people, Motherland Turkey and all those who served Cyprus, young and old, former and new commanders who made this history possible. Let us not forget our martyrs and hoist the flag from the skies. If we search for peace standing upright we will find it with Turkey…"

Speaking at a press conference at Ercan Airport, Minister Gul, underlining that Turkey would always support the just cause of the TRNC, said Ankara would support all studies carried out with the aim of reaching a permanent settlement that would be carried out under the leadership of the United Nations. He added that within this framework in order to strengthen the TRNC's economic and social structure and further improve the welfare level of the Turkish Cypriot people all preferential relations between Turkey and the TRNC would continue. Minister Gul stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people, who in the past were accused of being intransigent and against a settlement, by voting 'yes' to the Annan Plan in the 24 April 2004 referendum had proved this to be incorrect.