TURKISH PRESIDENT GUL VISITS TRNC REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE AT PACE

Turkish President Abdullah Gul who is currently in Strasbourg upon the invitation of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) visited the TRNC Office at the PACE.

Speaking during the visit, President Gul reminded that the representation of Turkish Cypriot deputies at the PACE was an important development.

Underlining that the Turkish side would continue with its constructive and peaceful approach, Gul said the point reached on the solution of the Cyprus problem is better than the past.

For his part, TRNC Representative at PACE MP Ozdil Nami expressed his pleasure for Turkish President Gul’s visit to the office and said President Gul, who paid his first visit to the TRNC as the Turkish President, has also visited the TRNC representative office at the PACE and this demonstrated his support for Turkish Cypriots’ just policies.

Nami pointed out that Gul’s visit to the office also echoed in the PACE and caught the attention of foreign MPs in the office and that all these indicated that Turkish Cypriots were becoming more institutionalized and more established under the roof of the PACE.

Meanwhile, speaking during a press conference at Hilton Hotel before leaving Strasbourg, President Gul reminded that he visited TRNC office at PACE and stated that it was an important development that Turkish Cypriots have started to take part in the General Assembly of the PACE.

Pointing out that the General Assembly of the PACE was an important platform where the Turkish Cypriots could make their voice heard, President Gul said after the referendum Turkish Cypriots were also given the right of representation.

 

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER BABACAN’S VISIT TO THE TRNC
BABACAN: “WE WANT A JUST AND PERMANENT PEACE”

Newly appointed Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan in his first visit to the TRNC as the Foreign Minister stated that just like Turkish Cypriots, Turkey also desired a just and permanent peace in Cyprus and it supports Turkish Cypriots’ efforts towards reaching peace and reconciliation.

Upon his arrival to the TRNC yesterday (4 October), Babacan first visited the tomb of Turkish Cypriot Leader for Freedom Struggle Dr. Fazýl Kucuk.

Later, Babacan was received by President Mehmet Ali Talat and following their meeting they held a joint press conference.

Speaking at the joint press conference, President Talat said that the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos’ latest address to the UN General Assembly was an attempt to change the existing parameters on the issue so as to distort the realities on the island.

He said that Papadopoulos was trying to associate the Cyprus problem with the presence of the Turkish Peace Forces on the island, claiming that the problem would be settled with the withdrawal of Turkish troops. Talat added that these are efforts to distort Cyprus problem.

President Talat stated that Turkey, which supported the TRNC on every issue, also supported the solution policies within the framework of the UN in Cyprus and that Babacan’s visit was the confirmation of this. Talat thanked Babacan for his visit which created the opportunity for the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey to revise their views and once more confirm that there was no difference between their views.

President Talat pointed out that Turkish Cypriot side is in favor of the establishment of a new partnership based on the existing UN parameters on the Cyprus issue and is ready to start fully fledged negotiations for a comprehensive solution to the problem.

He reminded that the Greek Cypriot leader had rejected all proposals put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side on speeding up the stalled 8-July process during the 5th September meeting.

Continuing President Talat said:

“Existing UN parameters envisaged the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the equality of the two peoples and two founding states under a federal system. We continue to be committed to this understanding. We believe that the negotiations should start immediately for finding an urgent solution to the Cyprus problem. We will spend every effort for this.”

President Talat said that this negative response only served to confirm their suspicions that the Greek Cypriot side has no intention of solving the Cyprus problem any time soon.

For his part, the Turkish Foreign Minister stated that expecting Turkish Cypriot people to give up on a solution based on political equality of the two sides and accept to live as a minority is only a pipe dream.

Babacan said: “We appreciate the Turkish Cypriot side’s constructive efforts for peace and settlement and we support those efforts. During the UN meetings in New York last week, I conveyed to all officials I met with the proposals President Talat made at the 5 September meeting and his positive stance. This constructive stance by the Turkish side is unfortunately not being received as well as it should have been in the international arena. We want the international community to end the discrimination against and restrictions on the Turkish Cypriot people.”

Pointing out that there was a need to understand well the Cyprus problem in order to solve it, Babacan said ‘the solution in Cyprus should be found under the UN parameters and the Good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary General and should be based on the political equality.’

“Turkey will continue to do everything in its capacity so that the TRNC continues to develop and get stronger in every field and that the future of our Turkish Cypriot brothers is secured”, said the Turkish Foreign Minister.

Later, the Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan was also received separately by the Speaker of Republic’s Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý.

Speaking during his meeting with his counterpart Turgay Avcý, Babacan said he especially wanted to intensify the relations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

Stressing that Turkey’s support to the TRNC in various fields, would continue, Babacan said he and Avcý would have close cooperation regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem and other issues.

For his part, Foreign Minister Avcý pointed out that it was important to have parallel relations and policies with Turkish Foreign Ministry and they would work harder in the forthcoming period for the TRNC’s development.

Foreign Minister Avcý underlined the need to increase the number of TRNC offices in foreign countries so as to improve relations with the international community and to further voice the Turkish Cypriot people’s just cause. Avcý thanked Babacan for his country’s continuing support.

Later, Babacan visited Bogaz Martyrdom and signed the Special Book.

Following the dinner hosted by President Mehmet Ali Talat in his honor, Babacan left the TRNC last night.

 

AVCI DELIVERED A SPEECH AT THE OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS COORDINATION MEETING

Following is the speech delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý at the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) Foreign Ministers Meeting on 2 October, in New York:

“It is a distinct honour and privilege for me to address the annual coordination meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on behalf of the government and the People of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

At the outset, it gives me great pleasure to convey our thanks and appreciation to H.E. Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanođlu, the Secretary-General of the OIC and the Secretariat for adopting dynamic policies with the ultimate aim of restructuring and further developing our organization since his election.

We are also grateful to the OIC and the esteemed members of the organization for their invaluable support extended to the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Mr. Chairman,

As we gather today with the ultimate aim of coordinating and uniting our efforts towards the common good of the Islamic Ummah, the situation in the Middle East, the continued occupation of a part of the territory of Azerbaijan, the plight of the Turkish Muslim minority of Western Thrace, the persistent internecine violence in Iraq, and other unsettled issues concerning Islamic countries such as the Indian occupied Kashmir continue to be of great concern to us all.

Mr. Chairman,

Excellencies,

As you, no doubt all know, Cyprus, my homeland, has also a long standing political dispute, and I would now like to share with you in brief the recent developments regarding this issue.

Following the referenda on Annan plan on 24 April 2004, the Cyprus issue has taken a new turn and a new state of affairs has emerged after Turkish Cypriots voted in favor and Greek Cypriots rejected the plan. As you all know, the former UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Gambari’s visit to the island resulted in the 8 July Agreement. However, neither the results of the referenda nor the 8 July Agreement brought any fruitful development with regard to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

This was further proven by the recent meeting of the leaders of both sides on 5 September 2007 when the meeting failed to produce any substantial outcome as a result of the Greek Cypriot leadership’s uncompromising position. The Turkish Cypriot proposals for setting a date to start full-fledged negotiations and targeting a comprehensive solution by the end of year 2008 were rejected out of hand by the Greek Cypriot leader.

It is obvious that the Greek Cypriot side does not want a solution. Their only aim is to procrastinate and use their unilateral and illegal European Union membership as a political and economic weapon against us.

We are very grateful for resolutions adopted by the Organization of Islamic Conference on the Cyprus issue which call upon the member states to strengthen effective solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots. In this context, they urge the member states to take concrete steps to end the unjust and inhuman isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and call upon all member states to further develop bilateral relations with the Turkish Cypriot state.

However, I am sorry to say that not all member states are taking the necessary steps to implement these resolutions. For instance, while Turkish Cypriots can travel to Western countries, including the USA, with their own passports, I am saddened to report that this is still not possible in many Islamic countries.

Furthermore, I regret to mention that the Turkish Cypriot athletes are not able to participate in the sports tournaments organized by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation and our application to become a member to the aforementioned federation has been rejected in spite of all the OIC resolutions for ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots in sporting activities. I sincerely hope that the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation would reconsider its decision and enable the Turkish Cypriot athletes to participate in the sports tournaments organized by the federation.

But there is also encouraging news. I am pleased to announce at this august assembly that our government is opening new trade and tourism offices in several member countries such as Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. At this stage I would like to reiterate, once again, that our government would like to establish even more offices in other member states with a view to enhancing relations between the TRNC and the member states in the fields of trade, tourism, culture, information, transport, higher education and sports activities. In this context, I hope that the brotherly member countries will extend all the assistance and support to the Turkish Cypriot people regarding the opening of new offices in their countries.

Mr. Chairman,

Despite being a small state, the TRNC can play an important role within the OIC and its affiliated institutions. Its unique geographical position which puts it at the crossroads of East and West, between Islam and Christianity and with its six internationally recognized universities enables the TRNC to contribute to the activities of the OIC and the Muslim Ummah. Currently over 250 students from OIC countries study in those universities under our full scholarship. Until now more than 2500 students from over 40 OIC countries studied in the TRNC under our scholarship program.

We had the honor to take part at the International Donors Conference on consolidating food self-sufficiency in Niger which was held in Qatar, in June 2007. The government and the people of the TRNC will continue to contribute such humanitarian efforts within the Islamic Ummah in the future as well.

Furthermore, we had the honour of hosting the advisory board meeting of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation in our country between 18 and 21 August 2007.

We sincerely believe that hosting such OIC meetings in Northern Cyprus will give a strong message to the Greek Cypriot administration and support the Turkish Cypriot people in their struggle to break the unjust and inhuman isolation imposed on them, and further develop relations between the Turkish Cypriots and the member states.

Most recently, we have restored the ferryboat services between the port of Latakia, in Syria and the port of Famagusta, in North Cyprus, after 30 years. Needless to say, the ferryboat services between the two countries will connect the Turkish Cypriot people more closely with our brothers in the Middle East and the Gulf countries, and I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to extend our deep thanks and gratitude to the relevant Syrian authorities for their cooperation and assistance in re-establishing ferryboat services between our countries.

We have no doubt that all the other member states will continue their efforts to support the Turkish Cypriot people in their rightful struggle. As part of Islamic Ummah Turkish Cypriot people deserve the assistance of their brothers.

We lived in fear of our lives from 1963 to 1974, isolated in enclaves. We embraced our freedom in 1974 and found a safe land in North Cyprus where we live in security now. However, we still face numerous difficulties instigated by our neighbor. We want a safe and peaceful future for our children, a future that the bitter experiences of the past will not repeat.

Mr. Chairman,

Before I conclude, I would like to renew our long-standing request as well for upgrading our observer status to that of a full member so that we may take our rightful place, as a full member, among our brothers.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.”