TRNC Public Information Office

PRESIDENT MEHMET ALI TALAT’S SPEECH FOR THE 24^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF THE TRNC

President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat has stated that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a means to shape the will of the Turkish Cypriot people and to make the Turkish Cypriot people reach to a modern level of life.

The celebrations of the 24^th anniversary of the declaration of the TRNC on 15 November 1983, has started with President Mr. Talat’s address to the people at 12:00 on both television and radio.

In his speech broadcasted on Bayrak Radio and Television (BRT), President Talat said that the TRNC is not a symbol of partition and division, but that it will contribute to peace by reinforcing all its institutions.

Reminding that “The Turkish Cypriot people, who have established the TRNC in order to be able to live in accordance with the principles of modern civilization, proved in the 24 April 2004 dated referendum that they are ready for the sacrifices required to find a solution to the Cyprus problem”, President Talat added that “Turkish Cypriot people are ready to establish a new partnership state with the Greek Cypriot people. They have proved it and now it is the Greek Cypriot people’s turn to prove their own will.”

Mr. Talat called upon the Greek Cypriot side to elect a leader, who will work for a settlement, to prove that they are also ready for sacrifices for a settlement and to take the historical facts into consideration.

A message of peace and friendship

Underlining that the Turkish Cypriot people are determined to work for turning Cyprus into an island of stability and cooperation for the region, Mr. Talat conveyed messages of peace and friendship. Talat said:

“On the 24^th anniversary of the declaration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we would like to convey our wishes of peace and friendship to the whole world just like we did during the days the TRNC was established. The Turkish Cypriot people are determined to work for turning Cyprus into an island of stability and cooperation for our region. We want this determination to be comprehended by the whole world once again.

Turkish Cypriot people are not separatists, they are not anxious to integrate with the world and they are neither reserved nor introverted people. Despite the fact that we were forced to live in the ghettos for years, we have never been reserved. Our contacts with the world have been obstructed but they have not been able to inhibit us from being part of the world. In spite of the hard conditions, we managed to become modern people of the world and we have raised our children with such understanding.”

“We are not yearning for the sovereignty of any other nation”

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people have been, for centuries, working, struggling, resisting and even fighting only to be their own master, Mr. Talat stressed that Turkish Cypriot people are not yearning for the sovereignty of any other nation.

Talat said:

“The Turkish Cypriot people are ready to share the rights of sovereignty of Cyprus with the Greek Cypriot people and even with the peoples of other countries as a requirement of globalization. This sharing will take place only if it is based on our free will, reinforced by our willingness and be on a just basis. Those who wish to have a say over our lives should be aware of the fact that we want the same thing as well. Dependencies should be reciprocal. In the modern world, reciprocal dependencies are essential. We do not deem this as a concept that contradicts our ideals of independence. We are ready for the sacrifices this reciprocal dependency will bring. We are also ready to fulfill the duties these dependencies will bring, the best way possible. We, at the same time, will benefit from the advantages of reciprocal dependencies and we will, therefore, be a part of the family of the world.

“A means of a modern life”

Underlining that the TRNC is a means of taking the Turkish Cypriot people to a modern level of life, Mr. Talat said that “We do not demand any privileges from anyone. We are striving to be able to have a modern life as an outcome of the contribution we will provide.”

Stressing that the TRNC is not a symbol of partition and division, Mr. Talat reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for a settlement and conveyed the following messages to the world: “In the 24^th anniversary of the TRNC, I would like to stress once again and attract the attention of the world that, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not a symbol of partition and division. The Turkish Cypriot people, who have established the TRNC in order to be able to live in line with the modern principles of civilization, have proved in the 24 April 2004 referendum that they are ready for the sacrifices that will arise once the Cyprus problem is settled. The Turkish Cypriot people are ready to establish a new partnership state with the Greek Cypriot people. They have proven this in the most concrete way possible.

“Now it is the Greek Cypriot side’s turn”

Saying “We have extended our hand to the Greek Cypriot side for peace. We are ready for a settlement. We are ready to provide positive contribution to any initiative that might lead us to a settlement”, Mr. Talat added that:

“If the Greek Cypriot people are not content with the current situation, they definitely will have to consider that time is flowing in a way to reinforce the status quo. Not everything happens the way we want. If the Cyprus problem is to be settled, both sides should make sacrifices. Anyhow, the Turkish Cypriot side has proved that they are ready for any sacrifice which will not jeopardize our existence in the island. Now it is the Greek Cypriot side’s turn. They should elect the leadership that will work for a solution and prove that they are ready to make sacrifices for a settlement”. Calling upon the Greek Cypriot side to take the historical facts into consideration, Mr. Talat underlined that the Greek Cypriots have never ruled the Turkish Cypriot people in history and said “Unfortunately, today the most important element hindering the settlement of the Cyprus problem is the Greek Cypriot side’s wish to rule the Turkish Cypriots. They should give up this aspiration. Once they give up this aspiration, they should realize that settling the Cyprus problem is not as complex as it seems now”.

A constructive approach targeting a settlement

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot side has been employing a constructive and settlement oriented stance, President Mr. Talat reiterated that they are ready to complete the preparations the Greek Cypriot side demands in a period of 2-3 months, commence the comprehensive settlement negotiations by the end of this period and settle the problem by the end of 2008.

Reminding that he has proposed these ideas to the Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Papadopoulos during their meeting on 5 September 2007, Mr. Talat said “The proposal is still on the table, it is awaiting a response”.

President Talat said that the Greek Cypriot side’s efforts to gain time will prove futile and added “It is nothing more than a delusion to even consider forcing the Turkish Cypriots to surrender by imposing isolations on them. We also have things to do. There are things we have already done. Despite all the hampering of the Greek Cypriot side, our relations with the world have been improving. Developments we could not even dare to dream before the 24 April 2004 referendum are taking place. Our parliamentarians are being listened to in Europe. Our relations with the Islamic countries are developing”.

President Talat said that the TRNC deems the support of the Republic of Turkey as quite valuable and said:

“We are doing whatever we are doing with the support of Turkey. There are things to be done to reinforce and streamline our relations with Turkey and we will not refrain from doing these. However, we will do all these not to deepen the partition between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, but to empower the Turkish Cypriots and make them stronger for the settlement struggle.

Empowering the TRNC and settlement

Pointing out that empowering the TRNC would not pose an obstacle before peace but a contribution, Mr. Talat deemed the aggressive stance of the Greek Cypriot side concerning the issue as “meaningless and destructive”.

Stating that “a settlement in Cyprus can not be reached by not empowering the TRNC or weakening it” Mr. Talat said:

“A settlement in Cyprus is a quest the Turkish Cypriot people support with their free will. It is not possible to successfully conclude this quest without the willing and effective participation of the Turkish Cypriots. The TRNC is the representation of the will of the Turkish Cypriot people. It is a means of exercising their will. The Greek Cypriot side should be aware of the fact that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots are eager fighters for peace and settlement”.

15 November, 2007

FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI: “LIFTING OF ISOLATION WILL CORRECT THE DECADES OLD INJUSTICE DONE AGAINST TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcı made a live interview with the El-Jaziree International on Wednesday (14 November).

Following is the full text of Foreign Minister Avcı’s interview with the El-Jaziree International:

“1. How has the accession of the Greek Cypriot administration to the EU affected the prospects of a comprehensive solution in Cyprus?

- The EU membership of the Greek Cypriot administration has now become a stumbling block on the way to a comprehensive settlement on the island.

- The Greek Cypriot side’s illegal and unilateral membership to the European Union on behalf of the whole Cyprus coupled with the advantages of the title of “the government of Cyprus”, left the Greek Cypriot side with no incentive to come to terms with the idea of a new partnership.

- This finally resulted in the overwhelming rejection of the UN Settlement Plan of 31 March 2004 by the Greek Cypriot people upon the call of their leader.

- Now that the Greek Cypriot side is an EU member, it is trying to do away with the UN parameters.

- To do so, it does not only exploit the EU accession process of Turkey but also attempts to shift the Cyprus issue from the UN platform into the EU.

- The UN remains to be the only platform for the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

- The role of the EU in this respect should be limited to encouraging the Greek Cypriot side to be more forthcoming in the context of the negotiations.

- The EU membership of the Greek Cypriot side has further complicated the Cyprus issue.

- The leaders of the EU members and the EU officials are now confessing that the EU made a serious mistake by admitting the Greek Cypriot side prior to a settlement in Cyprus.

What steps have been taken by the EU, in particular, and the international community, in general, to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots?

- The Turkish Cypriot people are denied the right to representation in international fora;

- their travel and communication are restricted;

- Their trade, cultural, tourism and sporting relations with the outside world are hampered.

- We voted yes for the UN Settlement Plan of 31 March 2004 at the simultaneous referenda on 24 April 2004, with the hope that we will connect with the rest of the world.

- Following the results of the referenda which left the Turkish Cypriots out in the cold, the international community and in particular the European Union promised to put an end to the isolation.

- The former UN Secretary-General called upon the international community to “eliminate the unnecessary restrictions and barriers”.

- The new Secretary-General stands by his predecessor’s report and supports the efforts towards lifting the ongoing isolation.

- The EU adopted a similar resolution for ceasing the isolation on the Turkish Cypriot people.

- Despite the fact that almost four years have passed, no concrete steps have been taken so far.

- The Direct Trade Regulation is still pending due to Greek Cypriot obstacles.

- The Turkish Cypriot side expects the Direct Trade Regulation (DTR) to be adopted without further delay in such a way as to enable the TRNC to export its products directly to the EU through its air and seaports.

- Furthermore, the Financial Aid Regulation is not functioning properly.

- Similarly, the Green Line Regulation is subjected to the deliberate administrative obstacles created by the Greek Cypriot side.

- Of primordial importance, therefore, is the starting of direct flights for the development of the tourism sector.

- There are no legal or technical obstacles that would justify the continuation of isolations on direct flights.

- Our Higher Education Institutions are also getting their share from the isolations. Our Universities could not be included in the Bologna process due to Greek Cypriot objections.

- The isolations impede the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots.

- Lifting of isolation will correct the decades old injustice done against Turkish Cypriot people.

- It will also be conducive to discouraging the Greek Cypriot leadership from its negative stance.

- Turkey and the United Kingdom have recently signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement.

- The said Agreement emphasizes the ending of the isolation, promotion of direct contacts, the continued support for the TRNC universities and the representation of the Turkish Cypriot parliamentarians in the European Parliament.

- After the appearance of this Agreement, the Greek Cypriot leadership went as far as threatening to review its relations with the UK.

- I hope that this stance of the UK will set an example for the other countries.

- In the meantime, we continue to flourish our relations with other individual countries.

- I visited Italy and had contacts with the Minister of European Affairs and International trade as well as other officials.

- Most recently, I visited Germany to explore the ways and means for developing bilateral relations, in areas such as tourism.

3. Since your arrival at office, there seems to have been an intensification of contacts between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Has this been reflected on the bilateral relations of the TRNC with the OIC member countries?

- I value very much our relations with the OIC.

- I have established an OIC Directorate at the Foreign Ministry in order to coordinate our relations with the OIC and the OIC countries.

- The OIC’s resolutions relevant to Cyprus, call member states to take the necessary steps to increase bilateral relations with the TRNC.

- It is extremely pleasing for us to see that words are gradually being put into action.

- We have also been forthcoming in our relations with the OIC.

- We have donated a considerable amount of money to the International Donors Conference on Strengthening Food Self Sufficiency in Niger for restructuring.

- We have also contributed to COMSTECH budget which will be used in research and development.

- Secretary-General İhsanoğlu’s visit to the TRNC on February 2007 marks an important turning point in our relations.

- This was followed by the visit of a delegation composed of officials from the OIC Secretariat as well as other related bodies of the Organization in March 2007.

- We are preparing to host a delegation composed of Saudi businessmen whom I had the opportunity to meet during my visit to Jeddah last January.

- Last May, a trade delegation organized by our Ministry visited Kuwait and had meetings with the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

- We established a Representative office in Qatar and are in the process of setting up two more in Oman and Kuwait respectively.

- The First Meeting of the International Advisor Board of the Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations Initiative was held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in August 2007.

- The representatives of the Turkish Cypriot youth platform participated in the “Alliance Youth Camp” and “Intergenerational High Level Conference”, which was held in Baku between 28 October and 2 November 2007.

- Two events are going to be held in the TRNC next spring, namely the Tourism Development in the Islamic World Forum and the Export Auditing and Capacity Building of SMEs workshop.

- Our intensive contacts with Syrian officials resulted in the recommencement of Latakia – Magusa ferry boat services after nearly 30 years.

- The commencement of the services also gave way to the European Commission to clarify its position vis a vis our ports, confirming the fact that there is no legal restriction for the use of our seaports.

- Most recently, the Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah Kamel paid an official visit to our country with his private jet directly from Dubai.

- During his visit to the TRNC he signed Memorandum of Understandings with the Turkish Cypriot Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

4. Are you convinced that the 8 of July process will lead to the launching of a process of negotiations aimed at the resolution of the Cyprus problem in the short run?

- The Turkish Cypriot side suggested the establishment of the technical committees.

- This idea led to the 8 July process with a view to immediately resume full-fledged negotiations after a short preparatory stage.

- However, the process has been thrust into deadlock by the Greek Cypriot side from the very beginning.

- Upon the initiative of the Turkish Cypriot side, the two leaders met on 5 September 2007 on the island under UN supervision.

- At the meeting President Talat proposed launching of the full-fledged negotiations after two and half months preparation targeting the end of 2008 for the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

- Not surprisingly, the Greek Cypriot leader declined all the proposals.

- His real intention to meet with President Talat was clearly a maneuver for the upcoming elections in South Cyprus.

- Our President met the UN Secretary-General on 16 October.

- The UN Secretary-General confirmed that our proposals are in line with the 8 July process.

- Our President also proposed a revised package of Confidence Building Measures as a gesture of goodwill.

- The Greek Cypriot proposals, which amazingly came a day before the Talat-Ban meeting, do not contain any new element and reflect the well-known Greek Cypriot rigid position.

- The Greek Cypriot side insists on an open-ended process.

- Through delaying tactics and exploitation of the EU accession negotiations process of Turkey, the Greek Cypriot side tries to undermine the well-established UN parameters.

- The truth of the matter is that the Greek Cypriot side has lost all its incentives for a solution.

- By accepting the Greek Cypriot side into the EU without a solution, all Greek Cypriot tactics to delay a solution have been crowned.

- It is now time to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people to pressurize the Greek Cypriot side for a solution.

- The international community should no longer tolerate the Greek Cypriot side.

- Otherwise, a solution seems distant.

5. What is the role of Turkey in Cyprus?

- The Cyprus question started in 1963 when the Greek Cypriot side destructed the Partnership Republic.

- UNFICYP deployment in the island in 1963 confirms this historical fact.

- Turkey is one of the guarantor powers.

- Turkey intervened in the island following the coup of Greek military junta.

- It intervened in accordance with the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, which is fully legal.

- The agony of the Turkish Cypriots could only be stopped by this intervention.

- Its coming to the island not only saved the Turkish Cypriots but the Greek Cypriots as well. They were killing each other at the time.

- The presence of Turkish troops on the island is for deterrent purposes only.

- There has not been bloodshed in Cyprus since the day they have arrived.

- We strongly believe that up until a just and durable settlement is reached the Turkish troops should stay on the island.

- Only Turkey supports the Turkish Cypriots unwaveringly.

- It also advocates our just cause in the international arena and helps us develop our relations with other countries.

“INTER-DISCIPLINARY ART WORKSHOP” TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE TRNC

Within the framework of social and cultural activities organized for the 24^th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, an “Inter-Disciplinary Art Workshop” will take place with the participation of 15 artists from various countries.

The activity which will bring together the international artists from different cultures is going to test “the ability to meet on the points where the conscience of being an artist and artistic activities intercept in inter-disciplinary dialogue.”

The activity will mainly focus on the historical places in Cyprus and in the fields of drawing and painting, sculpture, ceramics, original printing, graphic arts, cinema, and digital photography. The working places will be Luzignan House and Eaved House.

This activity is aimed at promoting Nicosia and the TRNC through culture and art in the international platform; promoting the historical and touristic culture of the region to the visitors, to bring together the students studying in the art departments with the artists having international name and experience and make them benefit form these artists’ technical and artistic capabilities; and to lay the foundation of the “Modern Art Museum” that is planning to be opened in the TRNC through the works of arts to be produced during the organization period. Besides artists form TRNC, artists from the USA, Macedonia, Spain, Turkey, Holland, Lithuania and Germany are going to participate in the organization.

Works of art to be produced during the organization will be displayed in the exhibition to be opened in the Luzignan House and Eaved House, entitled “Inter-Disciplinary Art Exhibition”. The exhibition will be opened by President Mehmet Ali Talat on 19 November at 19:00.