The Toros-2006 Military Exercise conducted under the command of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus, ended yesterday (9 November).

President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that Toros-2006 Exercise had been completed with very successful shootings and maneuvers. President Talat referring to the agreement between North and South Cyprus prohibiting to carry out military exercises, pointed out that because the Greek Cypriot side unilaterally violated this agreement, the Turkish Cypriot side had restarted to carry out military exercises since last year.

"Our aim is of course to preserve peace", said the President and added that the Turkish Cypriot side did not have animosity against anyone, but they carried out this exercise only to protect the Turkish Cypriots against possible threats.

Drawing attention to the necessity of these military exercises to prepare the army for possible battles, preserving peace and serving as a deterrent force, President Talat said: "Particularly, the Greek Cypriot side is seriously preventing the solution of the Cyprus problem and trying to dominate the whole island, thus we should nowadays evaluate this very well."

Talat stating that following Toros-2006 Military Exercise, it was once more proved that the Greek Cypriot claims to dominate the whole island was totally invalid and illogical, said: "I would like to underline that, it is once more seen that the TRNC is a reliable state and the Turkish Cypriot people are living in security."

The Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus, Lieutenant General Hayri Kivrikoglu, speaking at the beginning of the exercise, said that the Turkish Military Forces would not withdraw even a single soldier from the island until reaching a solution, which would guarantee the Turkish Cypriots’ sovereignty and security.

For his part, Major General Mehmet Eroz stated that all the personnel participating to the exercise; army officers and police, were very well trained.

Pointing out that these personnel were physically very strong and expert on demolition and first aid, Eroz said the Security Forces Commandership, which took over the duty from the Turkish Cypriot Resistance Organization (TMT) that was found under very difficult conditions to protect the Turkish Cypriots was today stronger than ever.

Responding to the questions of reporters, President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the EU Progress Report on Turkey announced on Wednesday (8 November), showed that Turkey’s EU process would continue and thus was positive in general, however he criticized the report’s approach towards Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots as being wrong.

Explaining that they expected the EU and the world to lift the isolations over the TRNC, President Talat said: "Asking concessions from Turkey and the TRNC in return of partial lifting of the isolations was very indecent. Therefore, it is impossible for us to accept any topics envisaging to exert pressure over Turkey by using Cyprus, we condemn and refuse this approach of the EU".

The Founder of the Turkish Republic Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was remembered today (10 November) in 68^th anniversary of his death with various ceremonies.

Commemorative ceremonies were held in Lefkosa, Gazimagusa, Girne, Guzelyurt and Iskele and in all primary and secondary schools and universities in the TRNC.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý in his message issued for the anniversary of Ataturk’s death, stated that the Turkish Cypriot people, which had established a democratic state in line with Ataturk’s main goal of “Peace at Home Peace in the World”, was further strengthening its historical, cultural and political ties with motherland Turkey, which was formed under the leadership of Great Ataturk. Continuing Foreign Minister Avcý said: