President Mehmet Ali Talat said: "20 July is very important for us and it was the most important turning point in the Cyprus history".

President Talat yesterday (18 July) received a delegation from the Turkish Grand National Assembly who came to the TRNC within the framework of 20 July Peace and Freedom Day celebrations.

Speaking during the meeting, President Talat stating that high level visit from Turkey showed how strong Turkey’s support was, thanked to Turkish MPs and said that he was sure that Turkey’s support and cooperation would continue.

Pointing out that Turkish Grand National Assembly Delegation’s visit to the TRNC would further strengthen the existing relationship between the two states, President Talat said:

"20 July is the date when the Republic of Turkey intervened in Cyprus by using her rights stemming from the Treaty of Guarantee as a result of Greek Junta’s coup d’etat and prevented island’s unification with Greece".

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people had clearly showed their determination for reaching a permanent settlement on the island, Talat said:

"Settling the Cyprus issue in line with the principles of Peace Operation and bringing peace to the island has been the basic aim of the Turkish Cypriot people. For the first time in history, Turkish Cypriot people by using their self-determination right have clearly put forward their own will for the settlement of the Cyprus issue on 24 April 2003. However, it is not possible to settle the Cyprus issue only with the Turkish Cypriot people’s determination and after this point the studies have started towards ending the Turkish Cypriots’ unjust isolation from the rest of the world. The greatest support for ending the isolations is undoubtedly from the Republic of Turkey. The Republic of Turkey has always supported us and is continuing to do so.

The Chairman of the Pakistan’s Senate Waseem Sajjad and his delegation yesterday (18 July) came to the TRNC within the framework of 20 July Peace and Freedom Day celebrations.