FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI’S MESSAGE IN MEMORY OF LAND MARTYRS

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý in his message issued on 25 April, in memory of Land Martyrs, said: “We are remembering with respect and gratitude the martyrs who sacrificed their blood and lives in a struggle for our nation’s independence and in resistance against every kind of external threats”.

Pointing out that a nation’s determination for maintaining freedom and independence had a great importance in its struggle for existence, Foreign Minister Avcý said Turkish Nation had never bowed to the attacks against its sovereignty and existence and would never do so.

Explaining that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) integrated with its nation and people, Avcý said TSK had the power and will to eliminate any threats against Turkish nation’s existence.

Continuing, Avcý said: “The value and importance given to martyrs of a nation is that nation’s honour. We will never forget our soldiers who are waiting at border gates and died martyrs for our security.

“Turkish Cypriots would continue to live independently with the support of Turkey. Our martyrs who died for our existence and provided us an independent life would continue to live in the hearts of all Turkish Cypriots.”

CUSTOMS PROTOCOL SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE TRNC

Turkey and the TRNC signed a Protocol on Customs Formalities and Customs Supervision. The protocol was signed by the TRNC Minister of Finance Ahmet Uzun and Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen.

Minister Tuzmen stated that there had been important developments and increases in trade volume of the TRNC, saying that the TRNC’s volume of trade with Turkey, which was 500 million US Dollars in 2002, had reached to 800 million US Dollars in 2006. Tuzmen said he thought that the TRNC’s volume of trade with Turkey would reach to 1 billion US Dollars in 2007.

Tuzmen pointed out that the per capita income in the TRNC in 2006 is two times higher than the one in 2002 and added that it had increased to 11 thousand US Dollars.

Stressing that the TRNC was becoming more attractive for local and foreign investors day by day, Tuzmen said the TRNC would be an important center in the Eastern Mediterranean. He pointed out that with the customs protocol signed, they would support the TRNC on the issues of technical training and equipment.

For his part, TRNC Finance Minister Ahmet Uzun stated that there had been important developments in the economy of the TRNC in the last three years.

Pointing out that Turkey had adopted that EU standards in the field of customs, Uzun said TRNC wanted to benefit from this and would cooperate with Turkey on the issue of customs as well as smuggling and automation.

EMBARGOED SENT AN EMPTY BOX TO BLAIR, BECKETT AND REHN

Embargoed sent an empty box to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn, symbolizing their empty promises given to Turkish Cypriots.

In a statement issued, Embargoed stressed that following the 24 April 2004 referendum the UK, EU and the UN had promised on 26 April 2004 to end the 43-year old isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and although 3 years had passed, no single embargo was lifted.