The 23^rd Anniversary of the Establishment of the TRNC was celebrated yesterday, with various ceremonies throughout the country.

Speaking during the ceremony at Dr. Fazýl Kucuk Boulevard, President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the Turkish Cypriot side supported a comprehensive solution under the UN framework and for this, they would not make any bargains with the Greek Cypriot side under the EU framework.

Talat stressed that they would not give anything to the Greek Cypriot side -which has deceived the world by saying that it wanted to share power with the Turkish Cypriots- in return for having the Turkish Cypriots’ isolations lifted. He said that Varosha or other aspects of a comprehensive settlement could only be dealt under the framework of the UN and with the aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement.

President Talat underlined that in the social psychology and political choice of the Turkish Cypriots, who voted by 65 percent to unify the island, the will to have a "constituent state" and ruling themselves, and the will to unify the island, did not contradict with each other. He added that on the contrary, these two notions completed each other.

President Talat stressing that the Turkish Cypriot side din not deviate a millimeter from their strategic goal of taking part within the EU following the solution of the Cyprus problem, said that Turkish Cypriots goals of becoming an EU member and reaching a settlement continued. He said: "Sooner or later, the Turkish Cypriots will take their place in the European Union. Today, our mission is to prepare the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with all its institutions, for this inevitable prospect. "

Talat pointed out that the EU couldn’t be impartial because of the fact that the Greek Cypriot side was a member of this bloc and that Greece was displaying unconditional solidarity with the Greek Cypriot administration. He added that this fact meant that they should keep the EU away from the solution efforts to the Cyprus problem until the Turkish Cypriot side also became a member and the bloc became impartial. Continuing he said:

"For example, Finland, which holds the EU Presidency, is trying to get Turkey to open its ports, airports and airspace to the Greek Cypriot vessels and planes with the aim of calming down the Greek Cypriot side, which is trying to jeopardize Turkey’s EU bid through blackmailing. Moreover, the EU is proposing to only weaken isolations, which it had promised to completely lift, in return for satisfying the Greek Cypriot leadership by giving Varosha to the UN as a first step before giving it to the Greek Cypriot side.

The fact that we, in the past, made some proposals concerning Varosha, does not mean that Varosha can be turned into an issue of bargaining in return for lifting the economic isolations, which was promised unconditionally. Varosha cannot be a gift or a bribe we give to Papadopoulos, who rejected the Annan Plan when he understood that the Turkish Cypriots would accept it. The international community was convinced that the Greek Cypriot leader would accept the plan. If we were to give Varosha, this would mean that we tolerate lies and submit to despotism. Not only that, but we would lead the Greek Cypriot leadership to believe that we can transfer to them, piece by piece, the rights of Turkish Cypriots during Turkey’s EU process. This would also mean doing away with the prospects of a solution to the Cyprus problem. We would mislead countries, which do not know the Cyprus problem, and which only try to save the day, and cause them to make a solution impossible."

President Talat stated that the Turkish Cypriot side wanted to establish and improve relations with the EU on every level, but for this, they would never accept the authority of the Greek Cypriot side, neither would they allow it to be involved in their relations with the EU.

Also addressing the Turkish Cypriot people during the ceremony the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul expressed his pleasure for attending the 23rd Anniversary day celebrations of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and sharing the happiness of the Turkish Cypriots on behalf of the Turkish government and people.

Stating that the EU who forgot its promise given to the Turkish Cypriots following the referendum was losing its credibility and prestige day by day, Gul said they did not forget the promises given. Gul added that in order to maintain peace and stability in Cyprus, the TRNC should be socially and economically developed and they were working very hard to achieve this.

Turkish Foreign Minister said that it was wrong for the European Union to link Turkey’s accession negotiations with the Cyprus issue and Cyprus should not be used against Turkey in its EU membership process.

Gul pointed out that those who insisted on this mistake should understand that this would lead to a dead end and that Turkey’s policies would not change with blackmails and pressures.

Stressing that Turkey continued to support the process carried out by the UN in the island and shared and supported President Talat’s initiative and stance, Gul said: "We believe that the leaders on the island should come together for reaching a comprehensive settlement. We are ready to discuss all kinds of initiatives, which would contribute to the settlement process. We approach constructively to Finland’s initiative which was made with good will but this does not mean that we share all the opinions put forward."

Gul saying that they were waiting for the discrimination, injustice and restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriots to end, said they expected the EU’s call made on 26 April 2004 to be immediately put into force. He added that Turkey’s action plan announced in January 2006 constituted a framework for conciliation.

Gul concluded by saying that Turkey would continue to be by the side of the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people under every condition and continue to support and preserve its historical and conventional rights on Cyprus.

Following the celebrations which marked the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of the TRNC, yesterday (15 November), Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, President Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý and Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosa Aydan Karahan, held a meeting at the TRNC Presidency.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and President Mehmet Ali Talat made a joint statement following the meeting.

Gul, stating that he was in the TRNC in order to attend the celeberations for the 23rd anniversary of the TRNC’s establishment and to represent his government and nation, said:

"I came to the TRNC, especially for the celebrations. Because, we are at a period where there have been important developments regarding the Cyprus issue. We see that there are some proposals on the agenda. I am representing the Turkish government in the TRNC at a time when there are very critical developments. We had a very detailed meeting with the President."

Gul stressing that there were two separate peoples and nationalities having separate religions, languages and democracies, said a settlement could only be found by taking these facts into consideration.

Reminding that the TRNC people had fulfilled its responsibilites and said "yes" to the Annan plan which was supported by the whole world, Gul said unfortunately, this opportunity was lost as the Greek Cypriots rejected it.

Pointing out that both TRNC and Turkey would conitnue to support all types of studies to be carried by the UN, Gul drew attention to the fact that Turkiey’s EU membership was not related with the Cyprus issue.

"It is unacceptable to blackmail Turkey and obtain some rights and promises, in order to solve the Cyprus problem, " said Abdullah Gul and added that Turkey was ready to do necessary openings, if the promise given to the TRNC for the lifting of the isolations was kept.

Stating that while imposing embargoes on one side of the island, expecting Turkey to open its ports to those who are imposing this embargoe was unfair and unjust, Gul invited everyone to think realistically.

Gul said: "Conciliation is neccesary in order to reach an agreement and this is possible if the sides to the problem make an iniative. Expecting only one side to give concession could not solve the issue."

Pointing out that they would continue to act contructively, Gul said: "I hope everyone be aware of this and fulfill their responsibilites, so that the problem in the island could be solved. As Turkey, we believe that the problem can be solved and Turkey, Greece and the two sides in the island start a big cooperation...This would constitute a separate column within the EU."

For his part, President Mehmet Ali Talat said: "Mr. Abdullah Gul, expressed the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot people." Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots desired a solution to be found to the Cyprus problem, Talat said they proved this in the referendum and put forward their sincerity.

"No country or international organization could interrogate us." The President said. He added: "Turkish Cypriots are following this path. They proved this, continued to support the same policy in the following processes and brought the supporters of this policy to the responsible positions".

Continuing, President Talat said: