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

In his speech at a ceremony, the Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias, by risking to deepen the mistrust between the two peoples, has yet again made another allegation directing insults against Turkey to whom  the Turkish Cypriot people are grateful.  The Turkish Cypriot people condemn with deep regret the statements of the Greek Cypriot leader referring Turkey as an invader which was compelled to intervene to Cyprus within the framework of her rights and obligations vested in international agreements in order to prevent the annexation of the Island by Greece and the bloodshed of the Turkish Cypriot people.

We would like to remind Christofias that Turkey’s timely intervention also saved the lives of many AKEL members including himself against the attacks of Greek military junta. We once again remind the Greek Cypriot leader that the legitimacy of Turkey’s intervention carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Guarantee was also affirmed by the decision of Athens Court of Appeals dated 21 March 1979.

The continuation of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee without any change is one of the fundamental parameters of an agreement to be reached between the two peoples. Christofias should acknowledge the fact that the Turkish Cypriot people do not and will not approve any agreement which will dilute Turkey’s effective guarantee. We would like to emphasize that the Greek Cypriot leader has been engaged in useless efforts since the first day of his election in order to sever the ties between the Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey. The Turkish Cypriot people give the necessary response every day to the Greek Cypriot leader on this issue by further strengthening their existing ties with the Motherland.

The Motherland Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have repeatedly announced that they are ready for a new partnership on the basis of the political equality of the two peoples, bi-zonality, the equal status of the co-founding states and Turkey’s effective guarantee and have taken concrete steps accordingly. However, the statements made by the Greek Cypriot leader display that the Greek Cypriot side is not ready to reach a settlement in the near future and is planning to maintain the existing status quo so as to gain time. To this end, he continues with his tactical blame game by atrocious attacks against Motherland Turkey beyond the limits of diplomatic courtesy, in order to conceal his own responsibilities.

It is amply clear that the mentality of Papadopulous is also adopted by the administration of Christofias. We would like to bring into the attention of all relevant parties this stance of the Greek Cypriot side striving to create scenarios by continuing to its tactical blame game in order to evade from the negotiation table.

14 April 2008, Lefkoşa.