STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ASSOC. PROF. TURGAY AVCI

We strongly support the demonstration of the Turkish Cypriot residents of Pyla against the anachronistic practices of the Sovereign British Base authorities and condemn with deep regret these practices of the British authorities. The reaction of the Turkish Cypriots living in Pyla, who are not allowed to take products and goods even for their daily needs from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to their homes, is extremely justified. The Pyla Desk, which functions under our Ministry and is responsible for dealing with the problems and concerns of our citizens living in Pyla, is closely monitoring this issue.

Such a treatment to the Turkish Cypriot residents of Pyla in their own homeland is a shame against humanity, while the promises by the European Union remain unfulfilled.

We invite the British authorities, who claim to be members of a country which takes pride in being the cradle of civilization and liberty in the 21^st century, to do away with this double standard and to abandon practices which violate basic human rights of our people. We would like to emphasize once again that all the necessary initiatives and works for the immediate solution of the problems of our citizens, whose reactions are unconditionally supported by us, are currently underway.

7 August 2007, Lefkoşa