TEXT OF THE STATEMENT BY H.E. ASSOC. PROF. TURGAY AVCI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS AT THE ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING OF THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (NEW YORK, 2 OCTOBER 2007)

 

 “It is a distinct honour and privilege for me to address the annual coordination meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on behalf of the government and the People of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

 

At the outset, it gives me great pleasure to convey our thanks and appreciation to H.E. Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanođlu, the Secretary-General of the OIC and the Secretariat for adopting dynamic policies with the ultimate aim of restructuring and further developing our organization since his election.

We are also grateful to the OIC and the esteemed members of the organization for their invaluable support extended to the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

As we gather today with the ultimate aim of coordinating and uniting our efforts towards the common good of the Islamic Ummah, the situation in the Middle East, the continued occupation of a part of the territory of Azerbaijan, the plight of the Turkish Muslim minority of Western Thrace, the persistent internecine violence in Iraq, and other unsettled issues concerning Islamic countries such as the Indian occupied Kashmir continue to be of great concern to us all.

 

Mr. Chairman,

Excellencies,

 

As you, no doubt all know, Cyprus, my homeland, has also a long standing political dispute, and I would now like to share with you in brief the recent developments regarding this issue.

 

Following the referenda on Annan plan on 24 April 2004, the Cyprus issue has taken a new turn and a new state of affairs has emerged after Turkish Cypriots voted in favor and Greek Cypriots rejected the plan. As you all know, the former UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Gambari’s visit to the island resulted in the 8 July Agreement. However, neither the results of the referenda nor the 8 July Agreement brought any fruitful development with regard to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

 

This was further proven by the recent meeting of the leaders of both sides on 5 September 2007 when the meeting failed to produce any substantial outcome as a   result of the Greek Cypriot leadership’s uncompromising position. The Turkish Cypriot proposals for setting a date to start full-fledged negotiations and targeting a comprehensive solution by the end of year 2008 were rejected out of hand by the Greek Cypriot leader.

 

It is obvious that the Greek Cypriot side does not want a solution. Their only aim is to procrastinate and use their unilateral and illegal European Union membership as a political and economic weapon against us.

 

We are very grateful for resolutions adopted by the Organization of Islamic Conference on the Cyprus issue which call upon the member states to strengthen effective solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots. In this context, they urge the member states to take concrete steps to end the unjust and inhuman isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and call upon all member states to further develop bilateral relations with the Turkish Cypriot state.

 

However, I am sorry to say that not all member states are taking the necessary steps to implement these resolutions. For instance, while Turkish Cypriots can travel to Western countries, including the USA, with their own passports, I am saddened to report that this is still not possible in many Islamic countries.

 

Furthermore, I regret to mention that the Turkish Cypriot athletes are not able to participate in the sports tournaments organized by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation and our application to become a member to the aforementioned federation has been rejected in spite of all the OIC resolutions for ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots in sporting activities. I sincerely hope that the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation would reconsider its decision and enable the Turkish Cypriot athletes to participate in the sports tournaments organized by the federation. 

 

But there is also encouraging news. I am pleased to announce at this august assembly that our government is opening new trade and tourism offices in several member countries such as Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. At this stage I would like to reiterate, once again, that our government would like to establish even more offices in other member states with a view to enhancing relations between the TRNC and the member states in the fields of trade, tourism, culture, information, transport, higher education and sports activities. In this context, I hope that the brotherly member countries will extend all the assistance and support to the Turkish Cypriot people regarding the opening of new offices in their countries.  

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Despite being a small state, the TRNC can play an important role within the OIC and its affiliated institutions. Its unique geographical position which puts it at the crossroads of East and West, between Islam and Christianity and with its six internationally recognized universities enables the TRNC to contribute to the activities of the OIC and the Muslim Ummah. Currently over 250 students from OIC countries study in those universities under our full scholarship. Until now more than 2500 students from over 40 OIC countries studied in the TRNC under our scholarship program.

 

We had the honor to take part at the International Donors Conference on consolidating food self-sufficiency in Niger which was held in Qatar, in June 2007. The government and the people of the TRNC will continue to contribute such humanitarian efforts within the Islamic Ummah in the future as well.

 

Furthermore, we had the honour of hosting the advisory board meeting of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation in our country between 18 and 21 August 2007.

 

We sincerely believe that hosting such OIC meetings in Northern Cyprus will give a strong message to the Greek Cypriot administration and support the Turkish Cypriot people in their struggle to break the unjust and inhuman isolation imposed on them, and further develop relations between the Turkish Cypriots and the member states.

 

Most recently, we have restored the ferryboat services between the port of Latakia, in Syria and the port of Famagusta, in North Cyprus, after 30 years. Needless to say, the ferryboat services between the two countries will connect the Turkish Cypriot people more closely with our brothers in the Middle East and the Gulf countries, and I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to extend our deep thanks and gratitude to the relevant Syrian authorities for their cooperation and assistance in re-establishing ferryboat services between our countries.  

 

We have no doubt that all the other member states will continue their efforts to support the Turkish Cypriot people in their rightful struggle. As part of Islamic Ummah Turkish Cypriot people deserve the assistance of their brothers.

 

We lived in fear of our lives from 1963 to 1974, isolated in enclaves. We embraced our freedom in 1974 and found a safe land in North Cyprus where we live in security now. However, we still face numerous difficulties instigated by our neighbor. We want a safe and peaceful future for our children, a future that the bitter experiences of the past will not repeat.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Before I conclude, I would like to renew our long-standing request as well for upgrading our observer status to that of a full member so that we may take our rightful place, as a full member, among our brothers.

 

Thank you Mr. Chairman.”