Holding a press conference before departing for the TRNC, President Erdoğan said: “The Turkish Cypriots have been fighting for equality and justice in the island for over half a century. For that cause, we have paid countless prices and overcome countless obstacles together. The Turkish Cypriot people have sovereign equality and equal international status in the island, where they are equal partners.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference at Atatürk Airport in Istanbul ahead of his visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Wishing Eid Mubarak to Turkey and the Islamic World on the occasion of Eid al-Adha that will start tomorrow, President Erdoğan said: “We will be leaving for Lefkosa in a short while to join the ceremonies that will be held on July 20 Peace and Freedom Day marking the 47th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. We will be celebrating double festivals at once with our brothers and sisters in the island.”
“WE WILL TAKE THE INITIAL STEPS FOR NEW PROJECTS”
Reminding that the Cyprus Peace Operation, conducted on the basis of the rights and responsibilities arising from the guarantor status, had brought to an end the atrocities which the Greek Cypriots had been committing against the Turkish Cypriots and which had been intensifying since 1963. “During the visit, I will meet with President Mr. Ersin Tatar and we will talk about our national cause and the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. We will exchange views on the furthering of the close cooperation between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
Noting that he would address a special session at the Turkish Cypriot parliament, President Erdoğan said: “I, together with President Mr. Tatar, inaugurate projects in various areas which we have been carrying out with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and we will also take the initial steps for new projects.”
“THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE IN THE ISLAND FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY”
President Erdoğan continued as follows: “The Turkish Cypriots have been fighting for equality and justice in the island for over half a century. For that cause, we have paid countless prices and overcome countless obstacles together. The Turkish Cypriot people have sovereign equality and equal international status in the island, where they are equal partners. In this regard, the proposal put forward in Geneva by President Mr. Tatar is a historic opportunity putting the solution efforts which have thus fur yielded no results on a realistic basis and clearing the way for a solution. The Turkish Cypriot side has thereby once again shown the whole world who favors solution and who benefits from deadlock.”
Reiterating his call on anyone hoping for a just, lasting and sustainable future in Cyprus to seize this historic opportunity, President Erdoğan stated: “Solution in Cyprus can be achieved only on the basis of the facts in the island. If there is to be a fresh negotiation process in the future, this can be realized only between two sovereign and equal states.”
“TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO STAND BY THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS”
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a state that is able to stand on its own feet despite all the hardships, stressed President Erdoğan. “It is determinedly walking towards a prosperous future with its democratic tradition and developing economy. As has been the case thus far, Turkey and each individual of the Turkish nation will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots.”
