28. ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis issued a written message on the occasion of the 28. anniversary of the foundation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). “In Turkey, the motherland, we share the enthusiasm of Turkish Cypriots that they feel on their Republic Day” said Bagis.

In his message Minister Bagis said the following:

I would like to remind on this glorious day once again that the fate of Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is common.

In a situation where TRNC is not in safe Turkey does not feel safe too. If Turkish Cypriots are not in peace and prosperity people in Turkey cannot be in peace and live in prosperity.

We, as the AK Party government, have been taking important steps to change the balance in the Island in favour of the Turkish side for 9 years.

We left the mentality which considers deadlock as a way of solution. We changed the parameters and broke the routine in the Cyprus problem.

We adopted an ideal of a free, independent and prosperous TRNC which stands on its own feet.

On the one hand, we explained our just cause to the world and on the other hand we made efforts to develop Cyprus both politically and economically.

We supported all the continuing processes aiming at peace in the island. Thus, we showed the entire world who is for solution and who not.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey have always been the side which sought peace.

This vision of peace and friendship was emphasized in the Declaration of Independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on 15 November 1983 as follows:

“On this historical day we once again offer a hand of friendship to the Greek Cypriots.”

Another historical fact included in the Declaration was as follows:

“Freedom and independence is a right for Turkish Cypriots as much as it is for the Greek Cypriots.”

Turkish soldiers and Turkish Cypriot combatants struggled heroically to gain this right. We will never forget their heroism and never let our common heritage arising from that heroism to be damaged.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will not pay for the promises that are not kept and the questions which cannot be answered. Everyone should know and act according to this.

The cost of the removal of barriers in Turkey’s EU accession process by no means can be the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.

Unfortunately, the European Union has become one of the actors of this problem by rewarding the Greek Cypriot Administration which prefers deadlock in Cyprus problem.

A state which is not recognised by a candidate country has become the President. The European Union can explain this neither to Turkish Cypriots nor to its own history.

The ones who believe that they can hide themselves behind the Greek section of a small island abase themselves to hide behind a small territory.

We shall not take steps backwards. This is out of question.

If Cyprus becomes an island of peace and prosperity and one of the most important education and tourism centres of the world this would be for the benefit not only of the Mediterranean region but also of the entire world.

We want to believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we hope that the negotiations carried out under the auspices of the Secretary General of the UN will open the way to peace.

We would like to celebrate once again the Republic Day of Turkish Cypriots on the 28. Anniversary of the foundation of TRNC and commemorate our martyrs who laid down their lives for the sake of the independence of Northern Cyprus.