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

Today is the 43^rd anniversary of the Erenköy Resistance which constitutes a golden chapter in the history of Turkish Cypriots which is full of epic struggles. The Erenköy Resistance is the epic of freedom written with the bloods of a handful of university students whose hearts were beating with the love of their country and freedom. At the same time, the resistance is the symbol of the honorary struggle displayed by the Turkish Cypriots from Erenköy and its vicinity at the cost of their lives against a more powerful enemy. With this resistance, the Turkish Cypriots proved to both friends and enemies their readiness to pay all costs for free, self-respecting life. I commemorate with gratitude our brothers from Erenköy who sacrificed their lives courageously during this glorious struggle for freedom.

At this meaningful anniversary, I once again recall the difficulties encountered and overcome by the Turkish Cypriot people who now live in peace and security. In order to prevent repetition of the past agonies, the Turkish Cypriot people are determined to protect forever their legitimate rights and interests at any cost. The fundamental responsibility of the Turkish Cypriot people, whose country is a functioning state with all its institutions, is to bring the country to a more prosper level.

On this occasion, I would like to reiterate once again our gratitude to Motherland Turkey for its unwavering support to the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot for existence during the years between 1963-74 up until this day.

On the occasion of the anniversary of this glorious resistance, I commemorate and bow before our Sacred Martyrs who buried the ultimate goal of ENOSIS of the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo with great respect, sacrificing their lives for freedom in our homeland.

7 August 2007, Lefkoşa