In a letter written to Pat Cox, the President of the European Parliament, on 31 May 2004, Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat requested initiatives be taken to ensure the representation of the Turkish Cypriots in the European Parliament.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

“Your Excellency,

It has come to my knowledge that the Greek Cypriot Government has enrolled around five hundred Turkish Cypriots into their electoral register and that a Turkish Cypriot is a candidate for the forthcoming Member of European Parliamentary elections. The Greek Cypriot Government would like to portray this election as an election participated by both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot citizens and to mislead the world public opinion. We canot be expected to accept this unnecessary and damaging behaviour. This can only contribute to striking a blow at the confidence building we are desperately trying to evolve between the two peoples.

The Greek Cypriot State is not only acting contrary to well established parameters of the United Nations but also against morality and international agreements. The United Nations foresee separate elections by the two peoples for electing their M.E.P’s. The separate right of self determination of the Turkish Cypriot people and the Greek Cypriot people existed in 1960 and were taken into account when establishing the new order. The 24th of April referanda held separately by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot peoples according to the Annan Plan is another conclusive proof of this principle.

I would like to request, Your Excellency, to take the initiative to ensure the representation of the Turkish Cypriot people in the European Parliament. Since separate referendums were held on 24 April 2004 according to the Annan Plan, each people exercising its right of self-determination, the Turkish Cypriot representation must surely be accepted by the European Parliament. The two seats allocated for the Turkish Cypriot representatives rightly belongs to the Turkish Cypriot people. I am sure you will assist the Turkish Cypriot people in its strong desire for representation in the European Parliament and we attach great importance for this aspiration. If the Turkish Cypriot representation cannot be accommodated within EU legislation, then the two seats of the Turkish Cypriot representatives should be held vacant for the time being. It is of paramount importance for us to be represented. If this cannot be attained at least observer status should be accorded to our representatives.

I’m certain, Your Excellency, shall take into account the views of the Turkish Cypriot party to ensure the restoration of the rights of our people, in line with European Union human rights criteria. On our part, we have demonstrated at the 24th of April referendum that we see our future in the European Union. It is now the turn of the European Union to accept two representatives from the Turkish Cypriot party to establish a better line of communication with us.