TEXT OF THE SPEECH MADE BY TRNC'S NEW YORK REPRESENTATIVES KEMAL GÖKERİ AT THE ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING OF
THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE
ON BEHALF OF
H.E. MR. HÜSEYİN ÖZGÜRGÜN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF
NORTHERN CYPRUS
(NEW YORK, 25 SEPTEMBER 2009)
Dear Members of the Parliament,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome you all to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
You are here with us on the celebration of a very memorable day. In order to understand comprehensively the very importance of this day to us, I have to, at least, briefly talk about the developments leading us to the establishment of our Republic and how the Cyprus issue started.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
There are basic facts that need to be stated in order to get a full understanding of the Cyprus issue and appreciate better the Turkish Cypriot position vis a vis the Cyprus issue and their decades long struggle for a just and lasting settlement in an Island where their sovereign equal rights are respected.
The Greek Cypriot side attempts to portray the Cyprus issue as one of Turkey’s invasion. However, the rightful intervention of Turkey on 20 July 1974 did not come about overnight as the Greek Cypriot side would like the world to believe. It is the result of a culmination of many events over the course of eleven years between 1963 and 1974, with the Greek Cypriot ultimate aim being the annexation of the island to Greece, Enosis.
On 21 December 1963, the Greek Cypriot co-founder partner of the 1960 Republic resorted to violence in line with its pre-conceived plan and usurped the state machinery by ejecting the Turkish Cypriot partner from all the organs of the Government by force of arms.
A United Nations Peace Keeping Force was dispatched to the island to stop the bloodshed. However it failed and the Turkish Cypriot people had to endure eleven years of unforeseen cruelty, bloodshed and suffering.
On 15 July 1974, the Greek Cypriot military junta together with Greek Cypriots staged a coup d’etat with the aim of materializing Enosis. Turkey which no longer could watch the atrocities unfold against the Turkish Cypriot people, intervened militarily. This intervention undertaken in accordance with rights and obligations under the treaty of Guarantee prevented the total extermination of the Turkish Cypriot people.
The Cyprus problem started because of the Greek Cypriot resort to violence and of Greek Cypriot ultimate objective of uniting Cyprus to Greece. It did not start because of Turkey’s rightful intervention in 1974.
The Turkish Cypriot side has supported efforts towards finding comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem and has participated at the negotiations in a constructive manner under the UN umbrella since 1968. However the same cannot be said for the Greek Cypriot side. Their efforts from the beginning was to annihilate the Turkish Cypriot people, render them to minority status and at best tighten inhuman isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people severing their relations with the rest of the world in all walks of life.
Declaration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on 15 November 1983 was our out-loud message to the world that we would continue to struggle for our equal and sovereign rights in this island provided for in 1960 international agreements governing Cyprus. It was a message to the Greek Cypriot side and to the world that a lasting peace and just settlement in the island can only be brought about by acknowledging our equal political rights and by Greek Cypriot acceptance to entering into a new partnership with us.
Turkish Cypriot side is committed to the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem
Our objective in these negotiations is to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement.
By this settlement we envisage a new partnership on the basis of
A) The political equality of the two peoples of Cyprus,
B) The undiluted bi-zonality,
C) The equal status of the Constituent States
D) And last but not least the continuation of the Turkey’s full and effective guarantee.
Continuation of Turkey’s guarantor rights is a sine qua non for us. A comprehensive settlement that does not envisage continuation of Turkey’s full and effective guarantee will not be approved by the Turkish Cypriot people. It is deemed to be a stillborn settlement plan.
Although, there are some issues where the sides have achieved convergence, however on most important issues, such as guarantees, property, territory, federal executive and federal legislative main differences still continue. It is disappointing and discouraging to observe that the Greek Cypriot side is tabling proposals which do not respect the established principles of settlement, such as bi-zonality, bi-communality and political equality.
The UN body of work accumulated during four-decades of negotiations, which culminated in a comprehensive settlement plan, i.e. the Annan plan, cannot and should not be put aside.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We cannot continue negotiating forever while the Greek Cypriot administration continues to usurp our legal rights in Cyprus and to exploit its internationally recognised status and its EU membership to exert pressure on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people.
It is for the international community and especially the EU to encourage Greek Cypriots for an urgent solution.
Dear Guests,
Turkish Cypriot people are not without an alternative if the negotiations fail once again due to the Greek Cypriot intransigence attitude. There exists in North Cyprus a fully functioning democratic state with all its organs in place and we will continue to uphold and develop this State. We will continue our struggle to get what we deserve: that is Turkish Cypriot people’s and our State’s rightful representation in the international fora
I thank you again for coming and I wish a enjoyable stay here in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
___________________________________________________
Ladies and Gentleman,
Welcome to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
On 15 November 1983, we have established our Republic honouring our decades-long
struggle for survival and freedom.
We are very much honoured and privileged to have you with us on the 26th
anniversary of this memorable day.
During the last 26 years, with the support of Motherland Turkey, we have taken important steps forward in developing our State. In spite of Greek Cypriot side’s inhuman embargoes and unjust treatment of the international community, we have been working very hard in order to make our people part of world nations.
Dear Guests,
During your stay in North Cyprus, you will have the opportunity to observe the
very reality of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and to listen to the
Turkish Cypriot people’s views and positions on Cyprus issue.
There is a fully functioning democratic Turkish Cypriot State in the North with
all its state organs in place. The people of this country expect better
understanding as well as just and equal treatment from the international
community. I hope that you will convey this message to your public when you go
back to your countries.
The Turkish Cypriot people is very much committed to efforts for reaching a just
and lasting comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. However, the Greek Cypriot side
has tried and is still trying to cut us off from the rest of the world, obstruct
our international representation, hamper our endless efforts to develop our
economy, violate our basic human rights such as communication, travel, sports
etc. The Greek Cypriot side is exploiting its internationally recognised status
and using every possible opportunity to hinder our people’s and our State
integration with the rest of the world.
Moreover, it is very much apparent from the positions and views they have put
forward on the negotiating table that the Greek Cypriot side is not for a
comprehensive settlement envisaging a new partnership reached between the two
politically equal partners.
I would like to state that we, as the Turkish Cypriot people, envisage a
comprehensive settlement on the basis of the principle of undiluted bi-zonality,
political equality of the two peoples, equal status of the two Constituent
States and continuation of Turkey’s effective and full guarantee.
Our priority is to find a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. However we cannot continue negotiating for forever while the Greek Cypriot side continues to usurp our legal rights in the island. We will uphold and protect our State. We will work to be part of the international community just as we deserve.
I thank you.
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MR. CHAIRMAN,
MR. SECRETARY GENERAL,
YOUR EXCELLENCIES,
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
IT IS A DISTINCT HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO ADDRESS THIS IMPORTANT MEETING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS (TRNC).
WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC), WHICH IS THE SECOND LARGEST INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION AFTER THE UNITED NATIONS (UN). SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT, THE ORGANIZATION HAS COME A LONG WAY AND BECOME THE COLLECTIVE VOICE OF THE MUSLIM WORLD PLAYING AN EFFECTIVE ROLE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE. I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE SECRETARY-GENERAL PROF. DR. EKMELEDDİN İHSANOĞLU AND THE DEDICATED STAFF OF THE SECRETARIAT FOR THEIR COMMITMENT AND HARD WORK.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
MANY PERSISTENT ISSUES CONTINUE TO PLAGUE THE MEMBER STATES OF THE OIC. VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN MIDDLE EAST, JAMMU AND KASHMIR REMAINS UNDER OCCUPATION, ARMENIAN AGGRESSION AND OCCUPATION OF KARABAGH CONTINUES, THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE TURKISH MUSLIM MINORITY OF WESTERN THRACE IS BLATANTLY VIOLATED BY GREECE AND BLOODSHED AND UNTOLD SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE PERSISTS.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES WOULD CERTAINLY REMEMBER THE SIMILAR DARK DAYS DURING 1963 – 1974 WHEN THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE WERE SUBJECTED TO EVERY KIND OF BRUTAL TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF GREEK CYPRIOTS.
TURKEY’S TIMELY INTERVENTION IN 1974 UNDER THE TREATY OF GUARANTEE PREVENTED THE TOTAL ANNIHILATION OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU IN BRIEF THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS PERTAINING TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE.
IT WILL BE RECALLED THAT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF AND THE GREEK CYPRIOT PEOPLE REJECTED THE UN COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT PLAN FOR CYPRUS IN THE SEPARATE AND SIMULTANEOUS REFERANDA HELD ON BOTH SIDES IN 2004. THUS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SOLVE THE CYPRUS PROBLEM WAS WASTED BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE. AGAINST THIS UNFORTUNATE OUTCOME, THE DETERMINATION OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE TO REACTIVATE THE SEARCH FOR A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT FOR THE CYPRUS ISSUE LED TO A NEW PROCESS OF TALKS WHICH BEGAN IN 2008.
AFTER A PREPARATORY PERIOD, FULL FLEDGED NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN PRESIDENT MEHMET ALI TALAT AND THE GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER DEMETRIS CHRISTOFIAS STARTED ON 3 SEPTEMBER 2008. THE FIRST ROUND OF TALKS WAS CONCLUDED ON 6 AUGUST 2009. THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON 3 SEPTEMBER 2009 WAS DELAYED DUE TO UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES CREATED BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CONCERNING CROSSINGS AT THE YEŞİLIRMAK GATE WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN OPENED AS AN OFFICIAL CROSSING POINT BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH.
I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THAT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE IS READY FOR A SETTLEMENT IN CYPRUS, IN LINE WITH THE ESTABLISHED UN PARAMETERS AND BODY OF WORK AS WELL AS THE OIC RESOLUTIONS. UNDILUTED BIZONALITY, POLITICAL EQUALITY OF THE TWO PEOPLES, EQUAL STATUS OF THE TWO FOUNDING STATES AND TURKEY’S FULL AND EFFECTIVE GUARANTEE WILL CONSTITUTE THE BASIC PARAMETERS FOR A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE UNREALISTIC AND UNREASONABLE DEMANDS OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE, ESPECIALLY ON THE ISSUES OF TERRITORY, POWER SHARING AND GUARANTEES ARE AFFECTING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN A NEGATIVE MANNER.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, I HAVE TO STRESS THAT THE ONGOING ROUND OF TALKS SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE EFFORTS FOR LIFTING THE INHUMAN ISOLATION IMPOSED ON THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE. THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING ISOLATION IMPOSED ON THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE RANGE FROM DENYING THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION IN INTERNATIONAL FORA; TO PREVENTING OR RESTRICTING THEIR TRAVEL ABROAD AND THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD, AND TO HAMPERING ALL CULTURAL AND SPORTING RELATIONS OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES EVEN WITH TURKEY. THERE IS MORE NEED THAN EVER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO END THIS ISOLATION, AS THIS WILL CERTAINLY MOTIVATE THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE TO ENGAGE SERIOUSLY AND MAKE REAL PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE ESTEMEED MEMBERS OF THE OIC FOR THE UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT EXTENDED TO THE JUST CAUSE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE THROUGH SUCCESSIVE OIC RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS. THESE RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS CALL UPON MEMBER STATES TO STRENGTHEN EFFECTIVE SOLIDARITY WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS AND TO TAKE CONCRETE STEPS TO END THE UNJUST AND INHUMAN ISOLATION OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS WITH A VIEW TO HELPING THEM MATERIALLY AND POLITICALLY. MOREOVER, THEY CALL UPON ALL MEMBER STATES TO FURTHER DEVELOP BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS IN ALL FIELDS SUCH AS DIRECT TRANSPORT, TRADE, TOURISM, CULTURE, EDUCATION, SPORTS AND IN THIS RESPECT, TO EXCHANGE HIGH-LEVEL VISITS WITH THE TURKISH SIDE.
OUR EFFORTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OUR REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES IN THE OIC MEMBER STATES AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR PROFOUND THANKS TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF THOSE BROTHERLY OIC COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE ALREADY GIVEN US THE NECESSARY PERMITS IN THIS RESPECT. THESE OFFICES WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN PROMOTING TRADE AND TOURISM LINKS BETWEEN OUR COUNTRY AND OIC MEMBERS. SIMILARLY, WE INVITE MEMBER STATES TO OPEN RECIPROCAL OFFICES IN THE TRNC.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE TRNC HOSTED AN IMPORTANT OIC EVENT IN APRIL 2009. IN PURSUANT TO THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED DURING THE 35TH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS, THE SEMINAR ENTITLED “THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE MUSLIM WORLD” WAS ORGANIZED JOINTLY BY OUR MINISTRY AND THE RELEVANT OIC INSTITUTIONS. PARTICIPANTS FROM 17 OIC MEMBER COUNTRIES ATTENDED THIS IMPORTANT EVENT. THE SEMINAR ENJOYED A GREAT DEAL OF SUCCESS AND WE WOULD BE HONOURED TO HOST MORE SIMILAR OIC EVENTS IN OUR COUNTRY.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO TOUCH UPON ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL FREELY TO WESTERN COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM WITH THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THE TURKISH CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES. WE EXPECT EACH AND EVERY OIC MEMBER STATE TO PROVIDE US WITH THE SAME FACILITIES WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO TRAVEL TO BROTHERLY OIC COUNTRIES WITH THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY OUR RELEVANT AUTHORITIES. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY AND IN CONFORMITY WITH THE RELEVANT OIC RESOLUTIONS ON CYPRUS.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERLINE THE FACT THAT WITH ITS DEVELOPING AND GROWING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, NORTHERN CYPRUS IS EMERGING AS A LEADING CENTRE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION. CURRENTLY WE HAVE SIX INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED UNIVERSITIES WITH OVER FORTY THOUSAND STUDENTS COMING FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD INCLUDING THE OIC MEMBER COUNTRIES. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS FROM THE OIC COUNTRIES. ALL SIX UNIVERSITIES, WHERE THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IS ENGLISH ARE MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION OF THE UNIVERSITIES OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD (FUIW), AMONG OTHER INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES OF OUR UNIVERSITIES ARE ACCREDITED BY THE MINISTRIES OF EDUCATION OF MANY ISLAMIC AND WESTERN COUNTRIES. WE INVITE MEMBER STATES TO ENCOURAGE THEIR STUDENTS TO ENROLL AT OUR UNIVERSITIES AND ALSO CALL FOR CLOSER COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR UNIVERSITIES AND THOSE IN OIC MEMBER STATES.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO RENEW OUR LONG-STANDING REQUEST FOR UPGRADING OUR OBSERVER STATUS TO THAT OF A FULL MEMBER SO THAT WE MAY PARTICIPATE AS A FULL MEMBER IN THE WORK OF THE OIC AS AN IMPORTANT REGIONAL AND GLOBAL ORGANIZATION.
THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.
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TEXT OF THE STATEMENT BY H.E. HÜSEYİN ÖZGÜRGÜN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS AT THE THIRTY SIXTH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE OIC MEMBER STATES (DAMASCUS, 23-25 MAY 2009)
MR. CHAIRMAN,
MR. SECRETARY GENERAL,
YOUR EXCELLENCIES,
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
IT IS A DISTINCT HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO ADDRESS THIS AUGUST ASSEMBLY ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS (TRNC). I WOULD LIKE TO START MY SPEECH BY THANKING WHOLE-HEARTEDLY THE BROTHERLY GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC FOR THE WARM AND FRATERNAL HOSPITALITY EXTENDED TO MYSELF AND MY DELEGATION FROM THE MOMENT OF OUR ARRIVAL IN THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE AND DEEP APPRECIATION TO HIS EXCELLENCY PROF. DR. EKMELEDDİN İHSANOĞLU SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC) FOR HIS PERSONAL SUPPORT ACCORDED TO THE JUST CAUSE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HIS EXCELLENCY’S VAST EXPERIENCE AND ABLE LEADERSHIP WILL CONTINUE TO GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC) AND THE STRENGTHENING OF THE BROTHERLY TIES BETWEEN THE OIC MEMBER STATES.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
MANY PERSISTENT ISSUES CONTINUE TO PLAGUE THE MEMBER STATES OF THE OIC. THE PLIGHT OF THE PALESTINIAN BRETHREN CONTINUES, JAMMU AND KASHMIR REMAINS UNDER OCCUPATION, ARMENIAN AGGRESSION AND OCCUPATION OF KARABAGH CONTINUES, THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE TURKISH MUSLIM MINORITY OF WESTERN THRACE IS BLATANTLY VIOLATED BY GREECE AND BLOODSHED AND UNTOLD SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE PERSISTS.
THE DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES WOULD CERTAINLY REMEMBER THE SIMILAR DARK DAYS THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE SUFFERED BETWEEN 1963 AND 1974 WHEN WE WERE SUBJECTED TO EVERY KIND OF BRUTAL TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF GREEK CYPRIOTS.
TURKEY’S TIMELY INTERVENTION UNDER THE TREATY OF GUARANTEE PREVENTED THE TOTAL ANNIHILATION OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE ON 20 JULY 1974.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU IN BRIEF THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS PERTAINING TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE.
FOLLOWING THE REFERANDA IN 2004, THE CYPRUS ISSUE HAS TAKEN A NEW TURN AND A NEW STATE OF AFFAIRS HAS EMERGED. STRONG “NO” BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IN THE SEPARATE SIMULTANEOUS REFERANDA MEANT OVERWHELMING REJECTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT PLAN OF THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL, KOFI ANNAN.
THE NEWLY ELECTED GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER DIMITRIS CHRISTOFIAS AND TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESIDENT MEHMET ALİ TALAT CAME TOGETHER ON 21 MARCH 2008, GIVING THE START TO THE PREPARATORY STAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY LED THE WAY TO THE FULL-FLEDGED NEGOTIATIONS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNITED NATIONS. PRESIDENT TALAT AND MR. CHRISTOFIAS HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE DISCUSSIONS ON THE CHAPTERS OF “GOVERNANCE AND POWER SHARING”, “PROPERTY” AND “ISSUES RELATED TO THE EUROPEAN UNION”. FOLLOWING THE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS ON THE CHAPTER OF “ECONOMY”, THE LEADERS WILL TAKE UP THE CHAPTERS OF “GUARANTEES” AND “TERRITORY”.
I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE, ONCE AGAIN, THAT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE IS READY FOR A SETTLEMENT IN CYPRUS, IN LINE WITH THE ESTABLISHED UN PARAMETERS AND BODY OF WORK, WHICH WOULD NOT BRING BACK THE BITTER EXPERIENCES OF THE PAST. ABSOLUTE APPLICATION OF BIZONALITY, POLITICAL EQUALITY OF THE TWO PEOPLES, THE EQUAL STATUS OF THE TWO FOUNDING STATES AND TURKEY’S EFFECTIVE AND FACTUAL GUARANTEE WILL CONSTITUTE THE PARAMETERS FOR A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE UNREALISTIC AND UNREASONABLE DEMANDS OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE, ESPECIALLY REGARDING THE ISSUES OF TERRITORY, POWER SHARING AND GUARANTEES ARE AFFECTING THE CURRENT NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN A NEGATIVE MANNER.
HOWEVER, THE ONGOING ROUND OF TALKS SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE EFFORTS FOR LIFTING THE INHUMAN ISOLATION IMPOSED ON THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE WHICH PREVENTS THEIR TRAVEL ABROAD AND THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD, AND TO HAMPERING ALL CULTURAL AND SPORTING RELATIONS OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES EVEN WITH TURKEY. THERE IS MORE NEED THAN EVER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO END THE TURKISH CYPRIOT ISOLATION AT A TIME WHEN EFFORTS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT CONTINUE, AS THIS WILL CERTAINLY MOTIVATE THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE TO MAKE REAL PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE ESTEMEED MEMBERS OF THE OIC FOR THE UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT EXTENDED TO THE JUST CAUSE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE THROUGH SUCCESSIVE OIC RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS. THESE RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY THE FORMER UN SECRETARY GENERAL’S COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT PLAN AND CALLED UPON THE MEMBER STATES TO STRENGTHEN EFFECTIVE SOLIDARITY WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS.
IN THIS REGARD, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR DEEP GRATITUDE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC AND ESPECIALLY TO HIS EXCELLENCY BASHAR AL-ASAD, THE PRESIDENT, FOR TAKING THE DECISION TO RESUME THE FERRYBOAT SERVICES AND THE MARINE TRANSPORT LINK BETWEEN THE PORT OF LATTAKIA IN SYRIA AND THE PORT OF GAZİMAĞUSA IN THE TRNC. WE EXPECT MORE MEMBER STATES TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF SYRIA AND TAKE STEPS TOWARDS ENDING THE INHUMAN, UNJUST ISOLATION IMPOSED ON THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE.
OUR EFFORTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OUR OFFICES IN THE OIC MEMBER STATES AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR PROFOUND THANKS TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF THOSE BROTHERLY OIC COUNTRIES FOR PERMITTING US TO OPEN OFFICES IN THEIR COUNTRIES.
OF COURSE, WE EXPECT MORE MEMBER STATES TO ALLOW US FOR OPENING TRADE AND TOURISM OFFICES IN THEIR COUNTRIES. IN THIS CONTEXT, IT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN THAT THE OPENING OF SUCH REPRESENTATIONS IS NECESSARY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE IN ALL ASPECTS THROUGH CONNECTING WITH THE REST OF THE OIC COUNTRIES AND FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PERSPECTIVE ESPECIALLY IN THE ABSENCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO TOUCH UPON ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TRAVEL TO MOST OF THE BROTHERLY OIC COUNTRIES WITH THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY OUR RELEVANT AUTHORITIES. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NEITHER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY NOR A FAIR AND A JUST TREATMENT BY THE BROTHERLY MEMBER STATES. I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS UNJUST TREATMENT WILL SOON COME TO AN END AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL FREELY TO THE BROTHERLY MEMBER COUNTRIES.
IT IS VERY SIGNIFICANT TO NOTE THAT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING TO THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC WITH THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THE TURKISH CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES SINCE 2007 AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK OUR HOST COUNTRY, ONCE AGAIN, FOR ALLOWING THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS TO TRAVEL TO SYRIA WITH THEIR LOCAL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGTES,
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE TRNC HOSTED AN IMPORTANT OIC EVENT LAST MONTH. IN PURSUANT TO THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED DURING THE PREVIOUS SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS, THE SEMINAR ENTITLED “THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE MUSLIM WORLD” WAS ORGANIZED JOINTLY BY MY MINISTRY AND THE OIC.
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THAT THE ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK AND THE OIC GENERAL SECRETARIAT HAVE ALSO PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COVER PART OF THE COSTS OF THIS SEMINAR. PARTICIPANTS FROM MANY MEMBER COUNTRIES ATTENDED THIS IMPORTANT EVENT. THE SEMINAR ENJOYED A GREAT DEAL OF SUCCESS AND WE WOULD BE HONOURED TO HOST MORE SIMILAR OIC EVENTS IN OUR COUNTRY.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ONCE AGAIN TO HIS EXCELLENCY BASHAR AL-ASAD, THE PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY WALID MUALEM, THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE BROTHERLY PEOPLE OF SYRIA FOR THE WARM WELCOME AND RECEPTION ACCORDED TO ME AND MY DELEGATION DURING OUR STAY IN SYRIA AND FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN MAKING THIS IMPORTANT CONFERENCE A SUCCESSFUL EVENT.
FINALLY, 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.