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STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF
FOREIGN AFFAIRS ASSOC. PROF. TURGAY AVCI
As it can also be understood from the baseless allegations
of the Greek Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding
the hijacking of the Atlas Jet plane, the Greek Cypriot
side is exploiting all the opportunities to slander the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus trying to ensure the
continuation of isolation imposed on our people. The Greek
Cypriot Administration which is striving to create an
artificial agenda by associating the hijacking incident
with the safety and legitimacy of the TRNC should
question, first and foremost, the safety of the South
Cyprus where bombs keep exploding and mafia killings are
being committed.
We would like to emphasize once again that the TRNC Ercan
State Airport, which has recently undergone revision,
complies with all security measures proposed by the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is an
airport fully equipped in line with international
standards and that our relevant institutions having the
experience and competence required are taking all
necessary measures to ensure flight safety for the
passengers. Moreover, the security of the Ercan State
Airport has been confirmed following the inspection of
independent observers.
The main reason why the Cyprus issue remains unsolved is
that the Greek Cypriot Administration which has
continuously been disputing the issue of legitimacy of the
TRNC before the international public opinion, has usurped
the title of “the government of the Republic of Cyprus” by
ousting the Turkish Cypriots in 1963 from the Partnership
Republic through force of arms. The key issue which needs
to be addressed in the international arena is the
illegitimacy of the current “Republic of Cyprus”.
The legitimacy of the restrictions imposed on the Turkish
Cypriot people, who has been administering itself by
establishing a modern and democratic state, despite years
long restrictions should be questioned and the
restrictions be lifted without further delay.
20 August 2007
Lefkoşa. |
