Turkish President Abdullah Gul who paid his first official overseas visit to the TRNC after being elected as the Turkish President has given important messages to the international community. President Gul pointing out that the fact that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side had done its utmost for reaching a just, permanent and a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus was acknowledged by the international community said the Turkish side was determined to preserve its position for a well-intentioned solution.

President Gul arrived in the TRNC yesterday (18 September) by private airplane named ANA. President Gul and his wife were greeted by TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat and his wife and Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosa Turkekul Kurttekin at Ercan Airport.

After a wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of Leader of Freedom Struggle of the Turkish Cypriot People Dr. Fazil Kucuk, President Gul held a meeting with President Talat at the TRNC Presidency and this was followed by a meeting between the two leaders’ delegations. Gul was greeted with an official ceremony upon his arrival at the TRNC Presidency.

Speaking at a joint press conference with TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat following the meeting, Turkish President Gul expressing his pleasure to pay his first official overseas visit to the TRNC after being elected as President, called upon the international community to take concrete steps for ending the restrictions imposed upon the Turkish Cypriot people without further delay.

Stressing that the responsibility for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem belonged to the Greek Cypriot administration which has been pursuing an intransigent stance, President Gul said Turkish Cypriots have always acted in favour of a settlement in the name of reaching peace, democracy and integrating with the world. He added that the unjust isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots were unacceptable.

Stating that a settlement should be based on the realities on the island, Gul said there were two separate democracies, two separate states and two separate states on the island and Turkey as a guarantor country was ready to fulfill its responsibilities in this context.

President Gul said the international community’s perception on the Turkish Cypriot side had positively changed with the Turkish Cypriot people’s overwhelming support for the Annan Plan during the 2004 referendum.

Gul stressed that Turkey would continue to support efforts for finding a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the realities of the island and under the auspices of the United Nations.

President Gul explained that with President Talat they evaluated the point reached on the Cyprus problem and exchanged views on further strengthening the solidarity and close cooperation between the two countries.

Stating that they were pleased with economic and democratic developments which have taken place in the TRNC over the last years, Gul said these developments have proven once more that there existed two realities, two separate democracies, states, languages and religions in Cyprus.

Continuing, Gul said:

“We are proud of the economic developments and doubling of the GNP in the TRNC, in the last couple of years. Turkey is ready to fulfill its responsibilities within this respect and support his Turkish brothers in Cyprus in providing security, defending their just cause and meeting their financial needs.

Our meeting today has been very fruitful in this respect. I believe that there will be peace in the island one day. Turkey’s vision is: “If a comprehensive solution is found, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece could establish a big cooperation center in Eastern Mediterranean and turn it to an attractive region. We will continue to give all kinds of positive support to achieve this.”

Responding to a question asked regarding Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos’ statement to the effect that ‘Turkish Armed Forces were the enemy”, Gul said:

“Turkish Armed Forces brought peace to the island also for South Cyprus. Everyone is aware of this. We should remember what had happened in the island in those days when Turkish Armed Forces arrived. Even the President of the time, had to escape from Cyprus. Turkish Armed Forces not only brought peace to the island, but also enabled the democracy to settle in a wide region. Therefore, we consider such statements as baseless. Turkish Armed Forces is the symbol of peace in the island. It does not have any different aim.”

Responding to another question asked whether he considered the Annan plan as being dead or still a base for a solution, Gul said studies related to the Cyprus problem are not the ones that started from a scratch and the Annan plan was an important study in this context. He added that the plan, which was submitted to the referendum in both sides of the island, could not be forgotten and ignored.

For his part, President Talat stated Turkish President Gul by paying his first official overseas visit to the TRNC after being elected as President has made a great gesture and showed that Turkey clearly supported the efforts towards reaching a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

Talat evaluated Gul’s visit as an indication of Turkish Republic’s desire and support for peace and tranquility.

Pointing out that they carried out a very fruitful meeting with Gul and his delegation on both the Cyprus issue and other issues, Talat said this meeting would not be the last and detailed studies between the two countries would continue.

Thanking Turkish President for his early reply for TRNC’s invitation and his visit, Talat said: “Feeling Turkey’s support on every occasion is giving us more strength and courage. As a people who are determined to continue its existence in Cyprus forever we thank Turkey for giving us the chance to once more express that we will spend every effort for finding an immediate solution the Cyprus problem. We also want to emphasize our belief that our cooperation and solidarity will continue.”