PRIME MINISTER SOYER AND FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI RETURNED TO THE TRNC
SOYER: “EU PROPOSED US TO NEGOTIATE THE EU ACQUIS COMMUNAUTAIRE UNDER TWELVE CHAPTERS”
AVCI: “WE WILL NOT GIVE UP OUR DETERMINATION TO BECOME AN EU MEMBER”

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer who concluded his contacts in Brussels and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay who was in Rome for the opening ceremony of TRNC Representative Office returned to the TRNC on 20 December.

Soyer and Avcý evaluated their contacts in a press conference at Ercan Airport.

Prime Minister Soyer referring to the Greek Cypriot side’s efforts to prevent the UN Secretary General’s call for the lifting of the isolation to be included in the recent UN resolution said nobody would be able to deter us from becoming a part of the EU. Soyer added that the Turkish Cypriot people’s efforts to be represented as an equal people in the EU would continue with determination.

Explaining that during his meetings with EU officials they discussed technical issues such as Green Line Regulation, Financial Aid Regulation and Direct Trade Regulation, said besides these he also expressed the Turkish Cypriots’ views and demands to the effect that the solution of the Cyprus problem should come on the agenda in 2008 and the EU should take a constructive role in this process.

Considering his meetings with EU officials as very fruitful, Prime Minister stated that the EU officials underlined the importance of the proposal they made on the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriot side to the EU acquis communautaire under 12 chapters.

Pointing out that the EU requested the Turkish Cypriot side to start studies within the framework of the 12 chapters; Soyer said the Turkish Cypriot side was very willing to start these studies, which would from now on be on the government’s agenda.

For his part, Foreign Minister Avcý stressed that nobody would be able to prevent the Turkish Cypriot side from becoming an EU member.

Explaining that he visited Rome three times this year and his last visit was for opening the TRNC’s Representative Office, Avcý said Turkish Ambassador to Rome, MPs, businessmen, politicians, local government representatives, NGOs and many other officials attended to the opening ceremony.

Drawing attention to the fact the Office in Rome was the TRNC’s third representative office in Europe, Avcý said this Representative Office would contribute to further development of the relations on tourism, education, culture and trade between the Turkish Cypriot people and Italian people.

Stressing that he placed great importance on openings in OIC countries, Arab countries and EU countries, Avcý said efforts within this framework would continue.

Avcý also underlined that despite the Greek Cypriots’ extreme nationalist attitude, Turkish Cypriot side would continue to integrate with the world and develop its bilateral relations.

Turkish Cypriot martyrs who died during years of national struggle on 21-25 December 1963 were remembered throughout the TRNC with various ceremonies.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in his message issued for the week, stated that the Turkish Cypriot people who gave an honorable struggle and resisted to the bloody Greek Cypriot attacks, which were carried out with the aim of turning Cyprus into a Greek island, until 20 July 1974 Turkish Peace Operation, preserved Turkish dignity and honor in Cyprus.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot people, who resisted every pressure and attacks, forced to abandon their villages and became refugees, continued with their struggle for existence and reached freedom in 1974 when Motherland Turkey and its Turkish Armed Forces saved them. Foreign Minister added that Turkish Cypriots after being ousted by force of arms from the 1960 Republic of Cyprus, under which they were the equal partners, used their right for freedom and self-determination and established the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, thus honored their struggle for existence and independence.

Continuing, Foreign Minister Avcý pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot people would perpetuate the memories of beloved martyrs forever and just like yesterday, today despite all difficulties and unjust isolation, are continuing to defend their rights and interests persistently and patiently. Avcý said: “Determination and struggle given by our beloved martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the existence struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people, has brought us to these days”.

Stating that although a long time had passed since the Turkish Cypriot people voted in favor of the Annan plan in the April 2004 referendum and approved a comprehensive settlement, they were still subjected to unjust isolation and embargoes, Avcý said:

“The whole world should acknowledge that unless the unjust isolation on the Turkish Cypriot people is lifted any kind of initiative for a settlement would fail.