TURKISH CYPRIOTS STAGED DEMONSTRATION IN BRUSSELS

Turkish Cypriots yesterday (26 April 2006) staged a demonstration in Brussels and condemned the continuation of the unjust embargoes.

A large number of demonstrators from the UK-based Turkish Cypriot NGO entitled “Embargoed”, yesterday traveled to Brussels from the TRNC and UK in order to protest the EU, which has been unsuccessful in lifting the unjust embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots and their motherland the TRNC.

In a statement issued by the demonstrators, which was called “Embargoed in Brussels” it was reminded that neither of the existing embargoes on the TRNC were lifted nor the EU kept its promise for Turkish Cypriots.

The statement said : “we call upon the EU to keep its promise given on 26 April 2004 and to lift the 42 years old embargoes. On 24 April 2004, 65% of the Turkish Cypriots by making great sacrifices, said yes to the bi-zonal, bi-communal UN plan, which was based on political equality and aimed at uniting the island. Accordingly, the UN announced that it would take measures to end the isolations but although 2 years have passed not a single embargo was lifted and the Greek Cypriot who rejected the plan entered the EU.

The Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus, who have been deprived of direct representation, trade, transportation and communication with the EU and the outside world, continue to suffer under rational discrimination. The EU instead of taking concrete steps to keep its promises, gave up its responsibilities on direct trade, halved the amount of the financial aid to be given to the TRNC and put forward extra conditions restricting the rights of Turkish Cypriots.”

Demonstrators also reminded the words of EU Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Veheugen, who after 24 April referendum said “the Turkish Cypriots should not be the aggrieved party as a result of this referendum, the commission’s regulations should serve for this purpose. It is time to end the isolations over the North Cyprus.”

They also called upon the EU to hold direct dialogue with the elected representatives and competent authorities of the Turkish Cypriot people.

PRESIDENT TALAT GAVE SUPPORT TO THE “EMBARGOED GROUP’S” DEMONSTRATION

President Talat gave support to the demonstration of the Embargoed group and stated that the demonstration, which was also supported by the NGOs in TRNC, would call upon the EU to keep its 2 year old promises to lift the embargoes and implement its decisions.

Reminding that 26 April was the second anniversary of the EU Council’s decision to take measures for lifting the embargoes imposed on the TRNC, President said, the Turkish Cypriots determination towards a settlement should be acknowledged by other countries and international organizations, and the existing restrictions should be lifted to ensure their integration with the world.

FOREIGN MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES UNION TO PROTEST GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS EMBARGOES

Foreign Media Representatives Union in TRNC is going to protest the Greek Cypriot Administration by the EU Commission and international media organizations for extending its inhuman embargoes imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots for its members and international media.