STATEMENT BY PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON HASAN ERCAKICA ON 12 DECEMBER

The fact that the ferry services between the Latakia port of Syria and Famagusta port have disturbed the Greek Cypriot side to a great extent and they are doing their best to stop these services is well known to everyone. The most recent application made by the Greek Cypriot side, who, on all occasions, exploits its EU membership to prevent lifting of the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, in order to stop the ferry services between Latakia and Famagusta is a concrete indication of their efforts to that end.

Given the circumstances, our expectation is to see that the European Union, who by admitting the Greek Cypriot side unjustly and unilaterally into its body allowed the Cyprus problem to become much more complicated, and the member states do not to allow the EU organs and the facilities to be exploited against the Turkish Cypriots. This is the most important issue that concerns, and will continue to concern, the relations between the Turkish Cypriot people and the EU, and it should be undertaken with utmost care.

In the said application, Mrs. Marcoullis alleged that the ferry services between Latakia and Famagusta serve to illegal immigration. The requirements for the individuals that will use the sea and air ports of the TRNC are defined by the relevant law and the individuals who have nothing contradicting to the criteria defined by the law cannot be stopped from entering the TRNC. Besides, all the institutions of the TRNC Government, primarily the Police Forces, have been taking all kinds of measures and have tightened the controls concerning human trafficking and illegal immigration which have become an important common problem for the whole world. Not only new technical equipment has been put into use, but also the intelligence activities by the Police Forces are being developed and maintained to that end. The success our Security Forces have achieved regarding the issue can easily be understood even from the news items reflected in the media.

One of the most important elements to avert illegal immigration is the adoption of necessary measures by the target countries and development of international cooperation to that end. The Greek Cypriot side has been hiding its incompetence regarding the issue and has avoided issuing satisfactory clarifications regarding where the immigrants in South Cyprus come from. While illegal immigration cannot be hampered in any part of the world, it is meaningless to try to give the impression that the South Cyprus coasts and the Greek Cypriot sea and air ports are not subject to illegal immigration. It is nothing but an effort to put all the blame for illegal immigration on the Turkish Cypriot side.

It is also well known that the Greek Cypriot side, for reasons only the Greek Cypriot side can understand, refuses to cooperate with the Turkish Cypriot side for the prevention of illegal immigration as well as other criminal affairs. Our effort concerning the timely establishment of technical committees which is one of the two main elements of the 8 July process, has been hampered meaninglessly by the Greek Cypriot side and therefore, deprived us of cooperation that could have been established for the prevention of such incidents.

As we have reiterated many times before, the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for any kind of cooperation with the Greek Cypriot side regarding the illegal immigration as well as other issues. The fact that those whom we share the same island seek help from the EU without establishing any contacts with us is an indication that their intentions are solely politics oriented and they are interested in nothing but maintaining the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots rather than working together to prevent human trafficking. Provided that the Greek Cypriot side wishes to implement the 8 July Agreement and to prove its willingness regarding the prevention of illegal immigration, they should cooperate with the Turkish Cypriot side on the issue.

 

TURKISH STATE MINISTER TUZMEN VISITED FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI

Turkish Minister of State Kursat Tuzmen who came to the TRNC in order to attend the 7^th Turkic World Forum, carry out official contacts and attend the opening ceremony of the transformer station, visited Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý yesterday (12 December).

During the meeting Kursat Tuzmen stating that industrial, commercial and cultural studies carried out between the TRNC and Turkey were very satisfactory, said the TRNC was continuing with determination on its path towards a better future.

Tuzmen pointing out that investments made in the TRNC especially in the fields of energy and tourism was reflecting the trust towards the TRNC, expressed belief that shares obtained by Turkey and the TRNC from the world trade and investments would continue to increase.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý for his part stated that the duty of the Ministry was opening to the world in spite of the isolation with the support of Turkey.

Explaining that the first subject brought up by the Turkish Prime Minister and other ministers in their overseas visits was always the TRNC, Foreign Minister Avcý said Turkey’s support was giving strength to the Turkish Cypriot people.