FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI DELIVERS A SPEECH IN WORKING BREAKFAST FOR FOREIGN MEDIA

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý this morning (19 July) hosted a working breakfast in the honour of foreign media members visiting the TRNC within the framework of 33^rd anniversary of 20 July celebrations.

Speech delivered by Foreign Minister Avcý during the working breakfast is as follows:

“Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank all of you for being with us on this auspicious occasion. Today is the 33^rd anniversary marking the freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people after 11 years of agony inflicted upon them by the Greek Cypriot side. 33 years ago, following the coup d’etat staged by the then Greek junta in Greece, Turkey, as one of the guarantor power, dispatched its troops to the island of Cyprus to prevent the total annihilation of the Turkish Cypriots. It was only by this timely intervention of Turkey that the Turkish Cypriot people now live in complete peace in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.   

We should of course address the reasons behind Turkey’s humanitarian intervention on 20 July 1974.

The partnership Republic of Cyprus  which  was  founded in accordance with international treaties was in fact destroyed by the Greek Cypriot partner’s onslaught on the Turkish Cypriot partner in 1963 and there has not been a joint central administration in the island ever since. Each side has since ruled itself, while the Greek Cypriot side has continued to claim that it is the “government of Cyprus”.

I also find it necessary to state that the destruction of the partnership by the Greek Cypriot side in 1963 definitely resulted in the advent of the Cyprus problem. The deployment of UN force to Cyprus in 1964 to end the armed attacks of the Greek Cypriot side against the Turkish Cypriot people also confirms that the Cyprus problem begun with the Greek Cypriots’ efforts to realize the annexation of the island with Greece, not in 1974 but in 1963.  

For eleven years, between 1963-74, the Turkish Cypriots outlived the agonies and losses of the Greek Cypriot armed attacks, were confined to small enclaves, subjected to gross violations of human rights –including being rendered refugees over and over again– living under open air prison conditions. On 15 July 1974, the Greek junta performed a military takeover in Cyprus in order to annex the island into Greece. This direct result of the irredentist policies of the Greek side prompted Turkey to intervene and save the lives of not only the Turkish Cypriots but also the lives of the Greek Cypriots. It should be underlined that Turkey’s intervention was undertaken in accordance with 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.     

 I would now like to share with you in brief the recent developments regarding the Cyprus issue.

Following the Referenda on 24 April 2004, the Cyprus issue has taken a new turn and a new state of affairs has emerged. After such a strong “no” by the Greek Cypriot side in the separate simultaneous referenda, which meant overwhelming rejection of the UN comprehensive settlement plan, it became, once again, apparent that the Greek Cypriot side is not ready to enter into a power-sharing arrangement with the Turkish Cypriot side.

The separate simultaneous referenda also confirmed the fact that there exist two equal peoples on the island, neither of which represents the other. Consequently, it would be untenable to claim that there is a single authority to represent the whole island, disregarding the reality that any solution in Cyprus requires the consent of both sides and both peoples.

Turkish Cypriot people have clearly done their part and exercised their right to freewill towards a compromise solution. It is now time for the international community to lift the unnecessary restrictions and obstacles on the social, economic and political development of the Turkish Cypriot people. In fact, in his report to the Security Council dated 28 may 2004, the then UN Secretary-General called upon the international community to “cooperate both bilaterally and in international bodies to eliminate the unnecessary restrictions and barriers that have the effect of isolating the Turkish Cypriots and impeding their development”. I find it appropriate to recall that the new Secretary-General, in his report relevant to Cyprus covering the period of 1 January – 30 June 2007, adopted the same approach and referred to the report of 28 May 2004 of the former UN Secretary-General in which it emphasizes, among others, the lifting of the unjust isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

As you would remember, the EU with its decision on 26 April 2004 decided to end the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people for many decades and to this end, the EU Commission prepared an integrated package of measures, consisting of financial aid and direct trade regulations. The Financial Aid Regulation, which was first de-coupled and then subjected to numerous changes enough to deviate it from its main purpose, was passed. However, The Direct Trade Regulation, which is more vital than any financial aid, since it would make it possible for the Turkish Cypriots to trade with the EU countries, is still pending. Needless to say that the Greek Cypriot’s effort in this regard is the primary reason. Germany, as an influential country in the EU, and the other member countries which held the EU Presidency since the decision of the EU of 26 April 2004, could not overcome the rigid stance of Greek Cypriot administration. This ill-intentioned Greek Cypriot position proves beyond doubt that the unilateral membership of the Greek Cypriot side into EU without reaching a settlement in Cyprus, instead of playing a catalyst role, has tilted the already uneven playing field in favour of the Greek Cypriots, complicating further the Cyprus issue. Now that Portugal is holding the EU Presidency, we wish to repeat our well-considered position that the Direct Trade Regulation should be passed without further delay enabling the Turkish Cypriot side to trade with the EU countries through its own ports.    

The Turkish Cypriot side’s suggestion for the establishment of technical committees between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots to overcome the difficulties that arise in the daily lives of both Turkish and Greek Cypriot peoples led to the current process which is being carried out between the two sides since 8 July 2006. It is unfortunate that, in spite of all the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side for the immediate resumption of full-fledged negotiation process, it has not been possible to do so due to the Greek Cypriot side’s policy of delaying tactics in increasing the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people and exploiting Turkey’s accession talks with the EU in the hope of doing away with the established parameters for a solution in Cyprus such as bi-zonality, political equality and a new partnership. The Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos sees no harm to declare at the General Assembly of the United Nations before world leaders that the only solution to the Cyprus problem which is acceptable to the Greek Cypriot leadership is to be achieved through the assimilation of the Turkish Cypriot people within the Greek Cypriot state.

This clearly reveals that as long as the international community continues to treat the Greek Cypriot administration as if it were “the legitimate government of Cyprus”, expecting a favourable conclusion not only in the current but in any other process of negotiation would be a very optimistic approach.

In spite of the uncooperative stance of the Greek Cypriot administration, the Turkish Cypriot side has repeatedly called for the meeting of the two leaders to reinvigorate the process of negotiations. The Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Papadopoulos has just recently responded positively to the calls of the Turkish Cypriot side with only a year’s delay through a letter dated 5 July sent to the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus stating that he was prepared to meet our President. It is unfortunate that the Greek Cypriot response is not genuine but is a maneuver for the upcoming elections in South Cyprus at the beginning of 2008.

The Turkish Cypriot side declared that it welcomed the decision of Mr. Papadopoulos. However, an unfortunate event, which dismayed the Turkish Cypriot deeply, urged the Turkish Cypriot side to reconsider its position. We have learned that while the Greek Cypriot side was paying lip-service to a meeting between the leaders, it was also making utter effort to hinder a friendly football match to be played between one of our football teams, namely Çetinkaya, and a team in England’s Football League One, called Luton Town. Given that the Greek Cypriot side, by using the advantage the usurped title of the “government of Cyprus”, sees no harm to curtail the Turkish Cypriots to engage in even sporting activities with other countries, the Turkish Cypriot side, which believes that sincerity is most needed at this juncture, has deemed it necessary not to fix a date for the said meeting at this moment, stressing however that it did not rule out the possibility of meeting.   

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would also like to give some information about the current economic situation in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

While our initiatives for lifting the isolation on the Turkish Cypriot people continue, the government makes every effort and works diligently to take the necessary steps in the way of achieving a sustainable economic development in the country.

Northern Cyprus implements a liberal economic system under which the promotion of the private sector with limited government intervention, the rational use of natural resources, the encouragement of investments that generate high added value and employment are given priority. Trade, tourism, education, transportation and industrial sectors are attached great importance within the framework of the liberal economic policy the government has adopted.

Encouragement of foreign investment is among the primary objectives of our development policy. Consequently those wishing to invest in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus can be certain of a positive government attitude. In this connection, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is keen to welcome investors from all over the world. Our relevant authorities are at the disposal and service of potential investors and businessmen who would like to learn more about the extensive tourism and business opportunities that exist in the TRNC.

In accordance with its development policy, preferential treatment is accorded to export-oriented industries. Priority is given to those projects that facilitate the transfer of modern technology, know-how and new management techniques into the country.

Northern Cyprus is emerging as a center of higher education in the region and houses 6 excellent universities which provide higher education to 40 thousand students from over 60 countries, charging very reasonable fees. I am happy to say that the number of students is increasing very rapidly. The higher education sector is a leading sector which contributes remarkably to the economy alongside tourism. The medium of instruction in all six universities is English and these institutions offer education at very high standards in diverse fields with very experienced teaching staff from different countries. Some of our universities have educational agreements with various universities from the USA, UK and others. These agreements envisage exchange of students and teaching staff as well as the implementation of joint programs among the universities.

The universities in the TRNC face unjust restrictions instigated by the Greek Cypriot administration. The Greek Cypriot side tries to block every effort of our universities to establish cooperation with the universities in other countries. Needless to say that such an effort is to be viewed as a fundamental human rights violation with real damaging consequences for the lives and careers of students and the future of higher education in North Cyprus.

In addition to the higher education, tourism is one other leading services sector activity in North Cyprus. With its hospitable people, rich cultural heritage, unspoilt, unpolluted natural beauty, plenty of luxurious hotels and restaurants which provide Mediterranean and international cuisine, Northern Cyprus is a most sought after destination for tourists.

The main hurdle for the development of the tourism sector is the lack of direct flights to and from our country - a prime example of the restrictions I have been talking about and one which ought to end without further delay. The requirement of a stopover of aircrafts in Turkey increases the time and cost of the flight and causes undue inconvenience to the visitors. However, we still maintain an effective air link with the outside world via Turkey, by both public and private airline companies. In 2006 the net tourism income of the country was 328.8 million US Dollars. Air and sea transportation to and from ports and airports in North Cyprus should continue without any hindrance so that the Turkish Cypriots can develop their potential in tourism and trade.

In this context, we call upon the international community to end this discrimination which is a blatant violation of the basic human rights of the Turkish Cypriots and of international visitors.

Thank you.”

ERCAKICA: “TALAT AND MOON DISCUSSED THE CURRENT SITUATION IN CYPRUS ON THE PHONE”       

Presidential Spokesman Hasan Ercakica in his weekly press conference held yesterday (18 July) stated the following:

“Various news items and interpretations have recently been published in the press regarding the telephone conversation that took place between the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon and President Mehmet Ali Talat on 13 July 2007, Friday.

During the conversation that took place upon the request of President Mehmet Ali Talat, Mr. Talat and the Secretary-General, in general, have made mutual evaluations of the current status of the Cyprus problem and in particular, exchanged ideas regarding the opening of the Lokmaci gate, demining projects in Cyprus and the meeting that is envisaged to be held between the two Leaders.

In the meantime, President Mr. Talat has also had the chance to mention the football match which was planned to be played between Luton Town Football Club and Cetinkaya Football Club but was cancelled as a result of severe pressure by the Greek Cypriot side. President Talat was also able to convey the complaints and demands of the Turkish Cypriot side to the Office of the Secretary-General who as a relevant party, has called upon lifting of the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. President Mr. Talat and Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon have agreed to meet at the earliest convenience.