DEPUTY PRIME MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CONDEMNED BAGHDATIS

The Deputy Prime Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs referring to the video, which show the Greek Cypriot tennis player Marcos Baghdatis holding a flare and chanting “Turks out of Cyprus”, said that this improper behavior clearly represents a racist mentality and Turkish animosity, which is not expected from a sportsman. The statement of the Ministry on the issue is as follows:

“During a party organized after the disqualification of the Greek Cypriot tennis player Marcos Baghdatis from the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in 2007, a video of the members of the Hellas Fan Club, known with their fascist stance, Turkish animosity and racist statements against Turkey and Turkish Cypriots circulated at a video-sharing site. Baghdatis’ video holding a flare and chanting “Turks out of Cyprus” displays a mentality of racist stance and Turkish animosity which is contrary to the expectations from a sportsman.

Following this video circulated, the announcement of the Greek Cypriot Education Minister Akis Kleanthus to the effect that Marcos Baghdatis was appointed as a cultural envoy for the year 2008 which was accepted as “Intercultural Dialogue Year”, clearly demonstrates the manner of a cultural dialogue the Greek Cypriot side desire to establish with the Turkish Cypriots. Kleanthus’s consideration of Baghdatis as a positive example for intercultural dialogue has once again displayed the racist policy of the Greek Cypriot leadership against the Turkish Cypriots.

Apart from the fact that the Turkish Cypriot athletes cannot participate in the international sports competitions and tournaments because of the inhumane embargoes imposed by the Greek Cypriot administration, we strongly condemn the improper insults of the Greek Cypriot athletes who by usurping the rights of the Turkish Cypriot athletes participate in the international sports activities and claim that they are the legal representatives of the whole of Cyprus.”

 

AVCI “ILLEGAL MIGRATION SHOULD NOT BE RECONCILED WITH THE START OF FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN THE TRNC AND SYRIA”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý speaking in a Television program yesterday stated that ferry services between the TRNC and Syria which delayed due to flag problems would continue through ferries carrying Turkish flags. He added that the illegal immigration issue should not be reconciled with the start of the ferry services.

Stating that the illegal migration was basically carried out through vessels Avcý said the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to cooperate with the Greek Cypriot side on the issue however, as it was always the case the Greek Cypriot side was refraining from any kind of cooperation. Foreign Minister Avcý said ferry services between TRNC and Syria should be seen as an open gate for middle east and there was not any legal obstacle which is against the EU Acquis Communautaire for the continuation of these services.

 

ERDOGAN AND KARAMANLIS DISCUSSED CYPRUS

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, who is in the Turkish capital Ankara for an official visit held a joint press conference yesterday where they evaluated their meeting.

Kostas Karamanlis is the first Greek Prime Minister visiting Turkey after 49 years of break.

Speaking at a joint press conference Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan pointed out that the year 2008 was important also for the Cyprus issue because as motherlands and guarantor powers of Cyprus they believe that it was important to start negotiations following the Presidential elections in South Cyprus.

He said “Our main concern is to solve the Cyprus issue at the negotiation table and as a guarantor powers we will encourage this.”

Responding to a question Erdogan stated that he was also expecting support for the start of the negotiations from his friend and counterpart Mr. Kostas and the ground would be the UN framework. Turkish Prime Minister said the UN had already taken a step towards this direction and produced a Plan called the Anna Plan, and although the plan was currently not on the table its spirit was alive for reaching a just, comprehensive and viable result.

Greek Prime Minister for his part stated that their aim was also to reach a just, peaceful and permanent settlement. He said “we agreed to continue efforts on the basis of the 8 July Commitment and our aim is to reach a just, permanent, and peaceful settlement on the basis of the UN framework. By this way the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots can jointly enjoy the benefits of EU membership.