FIRST DIRECT FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN TO TRNC

An important step towards lifting the 31 years long isolation imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots was taken with the first direct flight from Azerbaijan to the TRNC, last night (27 July). As a result of Turkey’s initiatives and within the framework of Azerbaijan’s efforts to develop relations with the TRNC, a second delegation of 82 Azerbaijani businessmen, artists and journalists arrived at Ercan Airport, directly from Haydar Aliyev Airport in Baku on a plane belonging to a private airlines company Imair.

In a joint press conference at Ercan Airport with the Chairman of Azerbaijan-Turkey Businessmen Union Ahmet Erentok, the TRNC Undersecretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Zeki Gazioðlu stating that direct flight of the delegation headed by Azerbaijan-Turkey Businessmen Union from Azerbaijan to the TRNC was an important event, said the delegation would explore the cooperation opportunities between the two countries in the fields of trade economy and tourism.

For his part, Erentok pointing out that they were experiencing a historical and emotional night, said after 31 years, apart from the Turkish planes, for the first time, a plane having a flag of a different country landed to the TRNC. Erentok also expressed his pleasure that this plane was from Azerbaijan. Stating that during their 3-day visit to the TRNC they would sign around 8 cooperation protocols, said bilateral agreements would improve the relations between the two countries.

 

KUDRET AKAY’S INTERVIEW TO POLITIS

"WE SHOULD ACCEPT WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE"

Greek Cypriot daily POLÝTÝS published an interview with Kudret Akay, the Political Advisor of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, on 24 July 2005.

Interview mainly revolved around questions about 20 July 1974 Peace Operation.

Responding to a question asking how the Turkish Cypriots felt about the anniversary of the 20 July 1974, Kudret Akay stressing that these kind of days were highly emotional and full of unforgettable memories, said: "We should accept what had happened and look to the future."

Kudret Akay pointing out that 20 July meant the rebirth of the Turkish Cypriot people for many Turkish Cypriots, and referring to the celebrations, said: "Great importance is given to 20 July, which was the date when the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for survival and freedom succeeded. With the participation of many journalists, academicians and politicians from 33 different countries, a successful organization was carried out also for the international community. Therefore, this year’s celebrations had repercussions also in the outside world."

Commenting on the expression that "The Turkish army came and has stayed on the island as part of the problems faced by the Turkish Cypriot people and the Cyprus issue", said: "I am not sure whether the existence of the Turkish army plays any role on the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. If you relate the Turkish army with the solution of the Cyprus issue, then you very much simplify the events as: "The army leaves and the problem will be solved". However, this is not the case. The army came because there was a problem and for the army to leave the problem should be solved. If the army leaves, and the Greek Cypriots attempt to return to their properties or look for the ones who are responsible for their missing persons, can you imagine what kind of a chaos there would be? There will be a continuous conflict. Under these conditions the army is for our security. Only the army can protect us."

Other questions directed towards Akay and his responses are briefly as follows:

Question: "Isn’t there a contradiction to celebrate the TRNC on one hand and to talk about reunification on the other hand?"

Answer: "Yes it is in fact a contradiction, but what do you expect us to do without a political settlement of the Cyprus issue? The life goes on. The only thing we possess is our state."

Question: "But you say that you are spending efforts for reunification not for recognition."

Answer: "There is a misunderstanding at this point. According to our surveys the Turkish Cypriots said "yes" to the Annan Plan especially for having their own state or a recognized constituent state. Furthermore, they said yes in order to enter the EU and these are the basic reasons. Living together with the Greek Cypriots was the least important reason. Even, the EU needs 45-50 years to fully integrate; their unification has been progressing in stages. Same thing should be applied to us. The celebrations are not only for things we have in our minds, but are for what we had experienced. 20 July is not an artificial celebration. There are memories told from generation to generation."