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, 26 SEPTEMBER 2008)
MR. CHAIRMAN,
MR. SECRETARY GENERAL,
YOUR EXCELLENCIES,
IT IS A DISTINCT HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO ADDRESS THIS IMPORTANT MEETING OF ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS (TRNC).
MR. CHAIRMAN,
MANY PERSISTENT ISSUES CONTINUE TO PLAGUE THE MEMBER STATES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC). VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN MIDDLE EAST, JAMMU AND KASHMIR REMAINS UNDER OCCUPATION, ARMENIAN AGGRESSION AND OCCUPATION OF KARABAGH CONTINUES, THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE TURKISH MUSLIM MINORITY OF WESTERN THRACE IS BLATANTLY VIOLATED BY GREECE AND BLOODSHED AND UNTOLD SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE PERSISTS.
THE DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES WOULD CERTAINLY REMEMBER THE SIMILAR DARK DAYS THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE SUFFERED BETWEEN 1963 AND 1974 WHEN WE WERE SUBJECTED TO EVERY KIND OF BRUTAL TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF GREEK CYPRIOTS.
TURKEY’S TIMELY INTERVENTION UNDER THE TREATY OF GUARANTEE PREVENTED THE TOTAL ANNIHILATION OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE ON 20 JULY 1974.
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU IN BRIEF THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS PERTAINING TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE.
AFTER A PREPARATORY PERIOD, THE FULL FLEDGED NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO LEADERS HAVE STARTED ON 3 SEPTEMBER 2008. THE LEADERS HAD THEIR SECOND MEETING ON 18 SEPTEMBER.
I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE, ONCE AGAIN, THAT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE IS READY FOR A SETTLEMENT IN CYPRUS, IN LINE WITH THE ESTABLISHED UNITED NATIONS (UN) PARAMETERS AND BODY OF WORK, WHICH WOULD NOT BRING BACK THE BITTER EXPERIENCES OF THE PAST. BIZONALITY, POLITICAL EQUALITY OF THE TWO PEOPLES, THE EQUAL STATUS OF THE TWO CONSTITUENT STATES AND TURKEY’S EFFECTIVE GUARANTEE WILL CONSTITUTE THE PARAMETERS FOR A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE UNREALISTIC AND UNREASONABLE DEMANDS OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE, ESPECIALLY REGARDING THE ISSUES OF TERRITORY, POWER SHARING AND GUARANTEES ARE AFFECTING THE CURRENT NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN A NEGATIVE MANNER.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
ONE OF THE MOST DAUNTING CHALLENGES FACED BY THE HUMANITY TODAY IS THE QUESTION OF FOOD SECURITY. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE HIS EXCELLENCY EKMELEDDÝN ÝHSANOÐLU AND HIS ABLE STAFF AT THE OIC GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR IDENTIFYING THE FOOD CRISIS AS THE INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION THEME OF THIS YEARS’ MEETING. THIS, INDEED, IS A CLEAR PROOF THAT THE OIC IS WILLING TO PLAY A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS FACED, NOT ONLY BY THE ISLAMIC UMMAH, BUT BY THE HUMAN KIND IN GENERAL.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK TOGETHER TO ENABLE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING OIC COUNTRIES HAVING MEANS TO ADEQUATE NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND POTABLE WATER. WE CANNOT LET THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF GLOBALIZATION TO KEEP US AWAY FROM BUILDING A MORE PROSPEROUS, HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN. IT IS THE CASE IN MANY REGIONS IN THE WORLD THAT, ALTHOUGH PEOPLE HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO ACQUIRE FOOD THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO SO. WE, AS THE HUMANITY, MUST COME UP WITH CERTAIN WAYS AND MEANS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF GLOBALIZATION IS MINIMIZED IN THIS RESPECT.
THERE ARE ALSO OTHER ISSUES, WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORSENING OF THE FOOD CRISIS. RISING OIL PRICES, THE POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD , THE RECENT FINANCIAL CRISES IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, AS WELL AS THE GLOBAL WARMING ARE JUST A FEW OF THE OTHER FACTORS WIDELY AFFECTING THE QUESTION OF FOOD SECURITY.
WE HAD THE HONOUR 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 TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS WILL CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS WITHIN THE ISLAMIC UMMAH IN THE FUTURE AS WELL TO OVERCOME THE FORMIDABLE, BUT NONETHELESS ATTAINABLE, CHALLENGES FACED BY OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
AT A TIME WHEN THE COOPERATION AND GOODWILL AMONG ALL FAITHS CARRY PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE, IT IS A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN TO OBSERVE THE GROWING PHENOMENON OF INTOLERANCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE MUSLIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD. TRNC FULLY SUPPORT THE OIC’S EFFORTS TO COMBAT DEFAMATION OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMS AND THE GROWING TREND OF ISLAMOPHOBIA. WITHIN THIS CONTEXT, I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT THE OIC MEMBER STATES SHOULD FURTHER COOPERATE AND COORDINATE AMONG THEMSELVES TO EFFECTIVELY PROJECT THE REAL IMAGE AND ATTRIBUTES OF ISLAM AND DEVELOP EFFECTIVE MECHANISMS TO COMBAT ISLAMOPHOBIA.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERNCE ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE AND IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO EXPRESS THAT THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS AND THE ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE ARE CONTINUING TO IMPROVE IN A VERY POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE.
IN THIS CONNECTION, WE WILL HAVE THE HONOUR TO HOST A FORUM ENTITLED “TOURISM IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD” BETWEEN 27 – 29 OCTOBER IN THE TRNC WHICH WILL BE ORGANIZED JOINTLY BY MY MINISTRY, THE ISLAMIC CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE (ICDT) AND THE ISLAMIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (ICCI). WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THAT THE ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK HAS PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COVER PART OF THE COSTS OF THIS FORUM. AS YOU WOULD ALL REMEMBER, THE DECISION TO HOLD THIS FORUM WAS TAKEN AT THE 35TH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS WHICH WAS HELD IN KAMPALA, UGANDA IN JUNE. INVITATION LETTERS TO MINISTERS OF TOURISM OF THE MEMBER AND OBSERVER STATES HAVE BEEN DULY SENT BY OUR MINISTRY, ICDT AND ICCI. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HOST OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THE RELATIONS IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM, AS WELL AS THE DETERMINING TOOLS TO DEVELOP THE TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD. IN THIS CONTEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UPON ALL THE HONOURABLE MINISTERS AND THE HEADS OF DELEGATIONS TO ENCOURAGE THE TOURISM MINISTERS IN THEIR COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT OIC ACTIVITY AND MAKE THIS EVENT A GREAT SUCCESS.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
FINALLY, 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.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
MR. SECRETARY GENERAL,
YOUR EXCELLENCIES,
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
IT IS A DISTINCT HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO ADDRESS THIS AUGUST ASSEMBLY ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS (TRNC). I WOULD LIKE TO START MY SPEECH BY THANKING WHOLE-HEARTEDLY THE BROTHERLY GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA FOR THE WARM AND FRATERNAL HOSPITALITY EXTENDED TO MYSELF AND MY DELEGATION FROM THE MOMENT OF OUR ARRIVAL IN THIS FRIENDLY MEMBER STATE.
I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE, ONCE AGAIN, HIS EXCELLENCY PROF. ÝHSANOÐLU, THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE OIC FOR MAKING EVERY ENDEVAOUR IN RENEWING THE OIC CHARTER WHICH WILL GIVE A TREMENDOUS IMPETUS TO OUR ORGANISATION TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE ISLAMIC UMMAH IN THE THIRD MILLENIUM AND EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR THE SUPPORT EXTENDED TO THE JUST CAUSE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HIS EXCELLENCY’S VAST EXPERIENCE AND ABLE LEADERSHIP WILL CONTINUE TO GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE OIC AND THE STRENGHTENING OF THE BROTHERLY TIES BETWEEN THE OIC MEMBER STATES.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
NEED FOR SUCH A LEADERSHIP AND A MORE EFFECTIVE ISLAMIC ORGANISATION IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE AT A TIME WHEN PEACE STILL ELUDES MIDDLE EAST, JAMMU AND KASHMIR REMAINS UNDER OCCUPATION, KARABAGH, AN INDIVISIBLE PART OF AZERBAIJAN, CONTINUES TO BE OCCUPIED BY ARMENIA, THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE TURKISH MUSLIM MINORITY OF WESTERN THRACE IS BLATANTLY VIOLATED BY GREECE, AND BLOODSHED AND UNTOLD SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE PERSISTS.
IN A SIMILAR VEIN, THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE SUFFERED EVERY KIND OF BRUTAL TREATMENT INCLUDING MASSACRES, DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY AND OTHER FORMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AT THE HANDS OF GREEK CYPRIOTS BETWEEN 1963 AND 1974. TURKEY’S TIMELY INTERVENTION UNDER THE TREATY OF GUARANTEE PREVENTED THE TOTAL ANNIHILATION OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE ON 20 JULY 1974.
IN THIS CONNECTION, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS, ONCE AGAIN, OUR DEEP GRATITUDE TO OUR MOTHERLAND TURKEY FOR BRINGING PEACE TO THE ISLAND AND FOR THE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT EXTENDED TO OUR COUNTRY.
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU IN BRIEF THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS PERTAINING TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE.
FOLLOWING THE REFERANDA ON 24 APRIL 2004, THE CYPRUS ISSUE HAS TAKEN A NEW TURN AND A NEW STATE OF AFFAIRS HAS EMERGED. STRONG “NO” BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IN THE SEPARATE SIMULTANEOUS REFERANDA MEANT OVERWHELMING REJECTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT PLAN OF THE THEN UN SECRETARY GENERAL, KOFI ANNAN.
IN THE PERIOD THAT FOLLOWED, EFFORTS AIMED AT ENGAGING IN A NEW PROCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS UNDER UNITED NATIONS (UN) AUSPIECES COULD NOT YIELD RESULTS DUE TO THE INTRANSIGENCE OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE. THE ELECTION OF A NEW LEADER IN SOUTH CYPRUS, IN FEBRUARY 2008, RAISED EXPECTATIONS, FOR FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS PROBLEM. TO END THE DEADLOCK AND MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN THE ISLAND, OUR PRESIDENT MET WITH HIS GREEK CYPRIOT COUNTERPART ON 21 MARCH 2008. AT THE MEETING THE TWO LEADERS AGREED TO START FULL FLEDGED NEGOTIATIONS FOLLOWING A PREPARATION PERIOD. CONSEQUENTLY, SIX WORKING GROUPS, TO DISCUSS THE CORE ISSUES OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM, AND SEVEN TECHNICAL COMMITTEES, TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO DAY TO DAY AFFAIRS, WERE ESTABLISHED AND THEY STARTED WORKING ON 7 APRIL 2008.
DESPITE THESE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS, THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE DOES NOT APPEAR READY TO START FULL FLEDGED NEGOTIATIONS ON 21 JUNE AS PROVIDED FOR BY THE 21 MARCH AGREEMENT. MOREOVER, RECENT STATEMENTS MADE BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT LEADERSHIP, CHALLENGING THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL UN PARAMETERS FOR A SOLUTION, ECHOING THE INTRANSIGENT VIEWS OF THE PAST NEGATIVE GREEK CYPRIOT STANCE, HAVE NOT BEEN ENCOURAGING.
I WOULD LIKE TO RENEW, ONCE AGAIN, THE FIRM STANCE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE TO RESUME, IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME, THE FULL-FLEDGED NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TO A NEW PARTNERSHIP ON THE BASIS OF THE POLITICAL EQUALITY OF THE TWO PEOPLES, BI-ZONALITY, THE EQUAL STATUS OF THE TWO CONSTITUENT STATES AND THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS AS SET OUT IN THE 1960 TREATY OF GUARANTEE.
HOWEVER, THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW ROUND OF TALKS SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE EFFORTS FOR LIFTING THE INHUMAN ISOLATION IMPOSED ON THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS. THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING ISOLATIONS IMPOSED ON THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE RANGE FROM DENYING THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION IN INTERNATIONAL FORA; TO PREVENTING OR RESTRICTING THEIR TRAVEL ABROAD AND THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD, AND TO HAMPERING ALL CULTURAL AND SPORTING RELATIONS OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES EVEN WITH TURKEY. THERE IS MORE NEED THAN EVER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO END THE TURKISH CYPRIOT ISOLATION AT A TIME WHEN EFFORTS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT CONTINUE, AS THIS WILL CERTAINLY MOTIVATE THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE TO MAKE REAL PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE ESTEMEED MEMBERS OF THE OIC FOR THE UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT EXTENDED TO THE JUST CAUSE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE THROUGH SUCCESSIVE OIC RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS. THESE RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY THE FORMER UN SECRETARY GENERAL’S COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT PLAN AND CALLED 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 WITH A VIEW TO HELPING THEM MATERIALLY AND POLITICALLY. FURTHERMORE, THEY CALL UPON ALL MEMBER STATES TO FURTHER DEVELOP BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS IN ALL FIELDS SUCH AS DIRECT TRANSPORT, TRADE, TOURISM, CULTURE, EDUCATION, INFORMATION, INVESTMENT AND SPORTIVE CONTACTS AND IN THIS RESPECT, TO EXCHANGE HIGH-LEVEL VISITS WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE.
OUR EFFORTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OUR OFFICES IN THE OIC MEMBER STATES AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR PROFOUND THANKS TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF THOSE BROTHERLY OIC COUNTRIES FOR PERMITTING US TO OPEN OFFICES IN THEIR COUNTRIES. OF COURSE, WE EXPECT MORE MEMBER STATES TO ALLOW US FOR OPENING TRADE AND TOURISM OFFICES IN THEIR COUNTRIES. IN THIS CONTEXT, IT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN THAT THE OPENING OF SUCH REPRESENTATIONS IS NECESSARY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE IN ALL ASPECTS THROUGH CONNECTING WITH THE REST OF THE OIC COUNTRIES AND FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PERSPECTIVE.
FURTHERMORE, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UPON ALL THE BROTHERLY MEMBER STATES TO MAKE ALL THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS TO ENABLE THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE TO TRAVEL TO THE MEMBER STATES WITH TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY TURKISH CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES, WHICH IS ALLOWED BY MANY OIC AND WESTERN COUNTRIES.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
THE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING OF THE “YOUTH FOR THE ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS” INITIATIVE DEVELOPED BY ISLAMIC CONFERENCE YOUTH FORUM FOR DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION WAS HELD IN NORTH CYPRUS IN AUGUST 2007. A TRAINING WORKSHOP TITLED “EXPORT AUDITING AND CAPACITY BUILDING IN THE SMEs” WAS ORGANIZED JOINTLY BY MY MINISTRY AND THE ISLAMIC CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE IN APRIL 2008. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THAT THE ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK HAS ALSO PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COVER PART OF THE COSTS OF THIS WORKSHOP. PARTICIPANTS FROM TURKEY, ALBANIA, AZERBAIJAN, BANGLADESH, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC, JORDAN AND SYRIA ATTENDED THE WORKSHOP. BOTH EVENTS ENJOYED A GREAT DEAL OF SUCCESS AND WE ARE LOOKING TO HOST MORE SIMILAR OIC EVENTS IN OUR COUNTRY.
IN THIS CONNECTION, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO FORMALLY ANNOUNCE THAT ANOTHER IMPORTANT OIC EVENT, ENTITLED “TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD” IS GOING TO BE ORGANISED IN THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS, IN OCTOBER 2008. TOURISM MINISTERS AND OTHER RELEVANT AUTHORITIES FROM THE BROTHERLY MEMBER STATES WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT FORUM. NORTH CYPRUS, BEING A PROMINENT HOLIDAY DESTINATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, IS VERY EXPERIENCED IN TOURISM ACTIVITIES AND I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT THE PARTICIPANTS FROM THE MEMBER STATES WILL VASTLY BENEFIT FROM THE DELIBERATIONS DURING THE FORUM.
MR. CHAIRMAN,
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ONCE AGAIN TO HIS EXCELLENCY YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI, THE PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY SAM KUTESA, THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE BROTHERLY PEOPLE OF UGANDA FOR THE WARM WELCOME AND RECEPTION ACCORDED TO ME AND MY DELEGATION DURING OUR STAY IN UGANDA AND FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN MAKING THIS IMPORTANT CONFERENCE A SUCCESSFUL EVENT.
FINALLY, 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.
MR. FOUNDING PRESIDENT,
MR. DIRECTOR-GENERAL,
DISTINGUISHED PARTICIPANTS,
DISTINGUISHED PRESIDENTS AND ACADEMICIANS,
DEAR GUESTS AND STUDENTS,
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO BID YOU A WARM WELCOME TO THE WORKSHOP ENTITLED “EXPORT AUDITING AND CAPACITY BUILDING IN THE SMEs ORGANIZED JOINTLY BY THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS (TRNC) AND THE ISLAMIC CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE (ICDT), A SUBSIDIARY ORGAN OF THE ORGANISATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC). IT IS INDEED AN HONOUR FOR US TO HOST THIS IMPORTANT OIC ACTIVITY IN OUR COUNTRY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING WITH US ON THIS AUSPICIOUS OCCASION AND I WISH EACH AND ALL OF YOU A VERY PRODUCTIVE AND BENEFICIAL WORKSHOP.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS TRAINING PROGRAMME WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE OVER THE NEXT FOUR DAYS WILL PROVE TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS UNDER THE ABLE GUIDANCE OF OUR MODERATORS AND LECTURERS AS WELL AS THE COMMON RESOLVE OF ALL THE PARTICIPANTS, AND THE WORKSHOP WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCLUSIONS THAT WOULD BEAR IMPORTANT OUTCOMES FOR THE BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS IN GENERAL AND THE smes, OPERATIONS IN PARTICULAR, IN THE MUSLIM WORLD.
I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE ONCE AGAIN THAT, IT IS A DISTINCT HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE FOR US TO HOST SUCH AN IMPORTANT MEETING HERE IN THE TRNC. IN THIS CONNECTION, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR SINCERE THANKS AND DEEP APPRECIATION TO H.E. MR. ALLAL RACHDI, THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE ISLAMIC CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE AND HIS ABLE STAFF FOR MAKING EVERY POSSIBLE ENDEAVOUR FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS PROJECT, AS WELL AS OUR DISTINGUISHED LECTURERS, WHOSE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WILL MAKE THIS WORKSHOP A GREAT SUCCESS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR DEEP GRATITUDE TO H.E. DR. AHMED MOHAMED ALI, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK, FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HE HAD EXTENDED TO US TO COVER PART OF THE COSTS OF THIS WORKSHOP. FURTHERMORE, OUR THANKS GO TO THE PARTICIPANTS FROM THE BROTHERLY MEMBER STATES OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH, HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC, REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN AND SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC FOR ATTENDING THIS IMPORTANT WORKSHOP. LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR. SUAT GÜNSEL, THE FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY, WHO HAS BROKEN NEW GROUND IN THE TRNC ECONOMY WITH HIS IMPRESSIVE INVESTMENTS IN THE FIELD OF HIGHER EDUCATION AS WELL AS FOR KINDLY ACCEPTING TO HOLD THIS MEANINGFUL EVENT IN THE UNIVERSITY AND PROVIDING THE NECESSARY LOGISTICS IN THE CAMPUS.
AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEF YOU ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE.
WE ARE EMBARKING ON A NEW PROCESS WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE WITH A VIEW TO REACHING AN AGREEMENT. WITHIN THIS PERSPECTIVE, I WOULD LIKE TO RENEW THE FIRM STANCE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE TO RESUME, IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME, THE FULL-FLEDGED NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TO A NEW PARTNERSHIP ON THE BASIS OF THE POLITICAL EQUALITY OF THE TWO PEOPLES, BI-ZONALITY, THE EQUAL STATUS OF THE CONSTITUENT STATES AND THE 1960 INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENT AS SET OUT IN THE TREATY OF GUARANTEE.
HOWEVER, THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW ROUND OF TALKS SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE EFFORTS FOR LIFTING THE INHUMAN ISOLATION IMPOSED ON THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE. LIFTING THE ISOLATION WILL NOT ONLY ENCOURAGE THE BOTH SIDES TO NEGOTIATE GENUINELY AND REACH A SETTLEMENT BUT ALSO CORRECT THE INJUSTICE AGAINST THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS.
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR RESOLUTIONS ON THE SITUATION IN CYPRUS ADOPTED AT THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCES. THESE RESOLUTIONS URGE THE MEMBER STATES TO TAKE CONCRETE STEPS TO END THE UNJUST AND INHUMAN ISOLATION OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS.
NEEDLESS TO SAY, HOSTING OIC EVENTS IN THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS IS IN LINE WITH THE RELEVANT OIC RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON CYPRUS WHICH ARE AIMED AT HELPING TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES ENDURED IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES. I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT THIS WORKSHOP WILL PROVE TO BE AN INVALUABLE EVENT IN RESPECT OF STRENGTHENING THE SOLIDARITY AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS AND THE BROTHERLY MEMBER STATES OF THE OIC AS WELL AS PROVIDING ALL THE TRAINEES WITH THE NECESSARY TOOLS AND CAPABILITIES FOR EXPORT AUDITING AND INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE smes.
DESPITE BEING A SMALL STATE, THE TRNC WOULD LIKE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE WITHIN THE OIC AND ITS AFFILIATED INSTITUTIONS. IN THIS CONNECTION, THE TRNC WILL CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN OIC MEETINGS AS WELL AS HOSTING OIC MEETINGS WITH A VIEW TO FURTHER STRENGTHENING SOLIDARITY WITH THE MEMBER STATES AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACTIVITES OF THE OIC. IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT NORTH CYPRUS IS SITUATED IN A STRATEGIC LOCATION TO ACT AS A BRIDGE AND A VITAL CONNECTION POINT BETWEEN THE EAST AND THE WEST, AND OUR COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITHIN THIS CONTEXT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL MEMBER STATES WITH FULL RESPONSIBILITY.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE TRNC HOSTED AN OIC EVENT, THE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING OF THE “YOUTH FOR THE ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS” INITIATIVE DEVELOPED BY ISLAMIC CONFERENCE YOUTH FORUM FOR DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION LAST YEAR. THAT EVENT HAS PROVED TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS AND I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT THE WORKSHOP WHICH IS STARTING TODAY WOULD ENJOY AS MUCH SUCCESS.
IN THIS AGE OF GLOBALISATION, WHERE THE PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES BETWEEN THE STATES HAVE BEEN DISAPPEARING AT AN UNPRECEDENTED PACE, THE smes PLAY A VERY CRUCIAL ROLE IN SUSTAINING A HEALTHY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COUNTRIES. THE TRNC GIVES SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE smes. OUR GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ADOPTING SPECIAL MEASURES, INCLUDING FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT OF THE smes, NOT ONLY TO INCREASE THE SHEER NUMBER OF THE smes, BUT ALSO PREPARING THE NECESSARY ENVIRONMENT FOR REACHING THE NECESSARY STANDARDS THAT WOULD ENABLE THEM TO COMPETE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SUCH AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT IS A MUST IF WE ARE TO REACH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT NOT ONLY IN THE TRNC BUT OVERALL IN THE WHOLE MUSLIM WORLD.
THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF RELEVANT GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND CHAMBERS IS VERY CRUCIAL IF THE smes OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD ARE TO REACH A CERTAIN LEVEL TO COMPETE WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE WORLD. THEREFORE, SPECIAL EMPHASIS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO EDUCATING AND TRAINING OF OUR RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS TO ENABLE THEM TO FURNISH THE smes WITH ALL THE CAPABILITIES AS TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITIES TO A SATISFACTORY LEVEL AND ENABLE THEM TO COMPETE IN THE EXPORT-ORIENTED WORLD ECONOMY WHICH WE ARE EXPERIENCING TODAY.
IT IS VITAL THAT WE, THE ISLAMIC UMMAH, CREATE SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT THAT THE EXPERIENCE AND THE KNOW-HOWS OF THOSE SUCCESSFUL MUSLIM COUNTRIES IS SHARED THROUGHOUT THE ISLAMIC WORLD. WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE INTEGRATION OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT ECONOMY WITH THE MUSLIM WORLD AND I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS PARTICULAR EVENT AND FUTURE SIMILAR EVENTS WOULD LAY THE FOUNDATIONS TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE.
BEFORE I CONCLUDE I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS ONCE AGAIN OUR DEEP GRATITUDE TO THE OIC AND ITS ORGANS, THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY AND ALL THE OTHER BROTHERLY OIC MEMBER STATES FOR THE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT EXTENDED TO THE JUST CAUSE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE.
I WELCOME YOU ONCE AGAIN AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL ALL ENJOY YOUR STAY IN OUR COUNTRY.
THANK YOU.
My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure being in the UK Parliament.
As the honorable members of the British Parliament, and as people with a keen interest in Cyprus, I am sure that you all are already well informed about the history of Cyprus and how the state of affairs of today came into being. Hence, I will not go into the details of the history of Cyprus.
It should be kept in mind however that since the forceful destruction of the Partnership Republic of Cyprus in 1963, there has not been a joint administration in the island.
Despite this fact, the grave mistake of recognising the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate successors of the “Republic of Cyprus” continues. This is indeed the major impediment on the road to a solution in the island and should be addressed.
What I am trying to say is that the international community and in particular Britain as one of the Guarantor powers of the 1960 Partnership Republic should refrain from giving the Greek Cypriot administration the assurance that even in the absence of a settlement, they will continue to enjoy all the benefits of the Republic.
In fact, it is this posture of the international community that fuels the Greek Cypriot intransigence.
Negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem have been carried out since 1968. The Turkish Cypriot side continues to participate in these negotiations, which have been continuing intermittently, in a constructive manner. The aim has been to establish a new partnership between the two sides on the basis of UN parameters which emerged over the course of the long years of negotiations, such as political equality and bi-zonality.
After numerous failed attempts, the UN Settlement Plan of 2004 came into being as the outcome of four and a half years of negotiations. The people of the TRNC approved it by 65 per cent in the separate, simultaneous referenda held in both sides of the island on 24 April 2004. Aware of the fact that a settlement requires compromise, the Turkish Cypriot people have endorsed the Plan despite the great sacrifices it entailed for them.
The Greek Cypriot side’s rejection by 76 percent of the Plan, however, came as a shock to the international community, which considered the Plan as a window of opportunity. With its rejection of the settlement plan, the Greek Cypriot side has clearly shown that it is not ready to enter into a power-sharing arrangement with the Turkish Cypriot people. The separate simultaneous referenda confirmed on the other hand that there exist two equal peoples on the island, and that each side governs itself.
In view of their affirmative vote, the international community and particularly the European Union took decisions and made numerous pledges for the lifting of the unnecessary restrictions on the social, economic and political development of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Despite the repeated calls, in their reports, of both the outgoing and the current UN Secretary-General’s to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people little has been done by the international community.
It is now accepted by all concerned that the unilateral membership of the Greek Cypriot side into the EU without reaching a settlement in Cyprus has further complicated the Cyprus problem.
Since its accession to the EU, the Greek Cypriot side has been exploiting its membership through strategies which aim to do away with the UN negotiating process. It has also concentrated its efforts to block every step of the EU towards the easing of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.
It should of course be kept in mind that the lifting of the isolation is not an end in itself, but it will surely be conducive to a settlement as it would bridge the gap between the two sides, paving the way for a smoother transition in the event of a settlement. At the same time, it would also show to the Greek Cypriot side that its policy of non-solution will not keep the Turkish Cypriots isolated forever and thus it would have to reconsider its current negative stance.
For this we need your support. We hope that the Honorable members of the British Parliament and all our friends in Britain will make a concerted effort to end the isolation of the people of the TRNC.
It is most disappointing to note that, even a friendly football game cannnot take place between a British team, Luton Town and Turkish Cypriot team Çetinkaya. You would certainly remember that the game could not take place and was cancelled only few minutes before the kick-off, due to the extreme pressure exerted on Luton Town by the Greek Cypriots.
Unfortunately, the all-encompassing isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriots do not stop at sports. They range from:
· denying the Turkish Cypriot people the right of representation in international fora;
· to preventing or restricting their travel abroad and their communication with the outside world;
· to curtailing the trade and tourism between the TRNC and the outside world;
and to hampering all cultural and sporting relations.
One of the most serious aspects of the isolation is the prevention of direct flights to the TRNC. As long ago as 18th May 2004 the then Prime Minister Blair said that it was important to end the isolation of Northern Cyprus and to lift the embargoes in respect to trade and to air travel.
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons made a similar statement in its Report on Cyprus.
On 8th July 2004 the Foreign Office Minister told the House of Lords that: “ the British Government fully support the agreed EU policy of ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, and that direct flights to Northern Cyprus could play a useful role in bringing that about.”
Over a year later, the Foreign Office Minister said the UK supported, in principle, the commencement of direct flights from the UK to Northern Cyprus but as yet “no decision had been reached on the basis of legal considerations”.
Frankly, legal or technical obstacles put forth by the interested parties seem nothing more than a pretext to justify the failure to end the isolation. We therefore had no choice but to bring a legal action in the English Courts, and we hope that this will yield positive results on direct flights this year.
I am compelled to say that the developments with regard to direct trade are still very unsatisfactory.
Following the referenda held on both sides, the European Commission, in line with the Council’s decision of 26 April 2004, prepared a package of proposals that consists of two regulations: Direct Trade and Financial Aid.
The two regulations which were complementary in nature were later de-coupled due to the political pressure exerted by the Greek Cypriot administration.
Approval of only the Financial Aid Regulation with many significant changes on 27 February 2006 has certainly contradicted the main objective of the 26 April decision.
Unfortunately deadlock still continues on the approval of the Direct Trade Regulation.
The EU Council of Ministers took a decision on 22 January 2007 reiterating their support for the adoption of the Direct Trade Regulation and for the resumption of works in this regard. After more than three years, the Direct Trade Regulation is still on the table. Every effort to initiate the process for its adoption has been blocked by the Greek Cypriot side’s unacceptable demands.
We the Turkish Cypriots expect the Direct Trade Regulation to be adopted as it is proposed by the EU Commission in July 2004, without being subjected to any preconditions, enabling preferential trade with EU countries through our ports.
Any arrangement to the contrary will not be accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side and will further lessen the confidence of the Turkish Cypriot people towards the EU.
On the other hand, adoption of the Direct Trade Regulation in its original version will be a step forward for the lifting of the isolation upon the Turkish Cypriot people.
Further delay in the adoption of the said regulation would be to the advantage of the Greek Cypriot administration whose sole objective is to continue to impose isolation upon the Turkish Cypriot people. Hence, we expect the United Kingdom to encourage the current EU presidency to take up this issue and bring it to a favourable end.
Having said the above, there are of course some positive developments which indicate that the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people is gradually being acknowledged by the international community.
The signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Turkey and the United Kingdom is an important development in this regard. The said Agreement emphasizes the ending of the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and the promotion of the direct commercial, economic, political and cultural contacts between the UK, the EU and the Turkish Cypriots.
Within this framework, it also underlines the importance of maintaining high-level contacts with the Turkish Cypriot authorities, the continued support for the TRNC universities to participate in the European Higher Education Area and the representation of the Turkish Cypriot parliamentarians in the European Parliament. I hope that the UK will stand by its words and set an example for the other countries.
I am confident that the Honorable Joan Ryan as the British Government’s Special Representative to Cyprus will play a pivotal role in establishing a liaison between UK and the Turkish Cypriot people, and that she will be strictly even-handed in her dealings with the two peoples of Cyprus, both in the UK and in Cyprus.
Another positive development is the statement made by the European Commission vis-à-vis the seaports in North Cyprus. This statement clearly reveals that the decision of the Greek Cypriot side to declare our ports closed was a unilateral act and that there is no legal restriction for the use of the sea ports located in North Cyprus under international law. The statement of the EU also confirms the fact that the use of seaports in the TRNC is a bilateral issue and that there is no decision of the UN or EU or any other organization prohibiting their use. Most recently, Olli Rehn, in response to a question, reconfirmed the position of the Commission in a written statement, stating once again that there is no restriction over the use of our sea ports.
The starting of direct ferry tours between the TRNC and Syria is a case in point demonstrating that the only obstacle in our way is the lack of political determination of the international community and it needs to be addressed without further delay.
Developments such as direct sea ferry boat services or pledges from international actors such as the UK gain more importance, as they will give out a strong message to the Greek Cypriot side that its policies will not be rewarded anymore.
Our expectation is that countries like the United Kingdom will stand by their promises and show the necessary determination to take concrete steps to end the isolation, despite all Greek Cypriot efforts to achieve the contrary.
Hopefully this will be done without further delay since the international community must restore its fading credibility in the eyes of the Turkish Cypriots.
For the time being, negotiated settlement remains a desirable option for Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriots pay lip-service to this objective, but their actions show that their aim is to postpone the settlement of the problem, with the hope that in the course of time it can do away with the established UN parameters and bring the Turkish Cypriots under their control by a process of osmosis. I can tell you quite clearly that they will never succeed.
Perhaps a detailed account of the recent developments with regard to negotiations is necessary at this point.
Following the results of the referenda and the failure to adopt the Comprehensive Settlement Plan, the negotiations came to a standstill. Answering to our repeated calls, the UN decided to take an initiative to establish a mechanism for day to day affairs that affect both sides on the island, such as crime, illicit activity and infectious diseases. The efforts of the UN to establish a cooperation link between the two sides led to the 8 July process.
The main purpose of the 8 July agreement of 2006 is to break the current impasse in the negotiating process, since it foresees the immediate resumption of full-fledged negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement.
However, the Greek Cypriot side has been blocking the process, intensifying its efforts instead to tightening the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people. Consequently, the numerous meetings held between the representatives of the two sides did not bring about any tangible results. The Turkish Cypriot side’s calls for the meeting of the two leaders to overcome the deadlock and moving the process forward were only responded to after a year’s delay.
The two leaders met on 5 September 2007 within the framework of the good-offices mission of the UNSG to discuss the ways to move the process forward with a view to pave the way for the negotiations for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
The Turkish Cypriot side stepped ahead and proposed at the leaders’ meeting that after a preparation period of two and a half months to be carried out within the framework of the 8 July process, full-fledged negotiations between the two leaders to start and the working groups as well as the technical committees continue to work parallel to full-fledged negotiations.
Believing in the need for an urgent solution, the Turkish Cypriot side also proposed that the end of the year 2008 is targeted for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
The Greek Cypriot side rejected, out of hand, the whole idea of a timetable. The position adopted by the Greek Cypriot leader during the meeting also surfaced that Papadopoulos attended it as a maneuver for the upcoming elections in South Cyprus.
The TRNC President H.E. Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat met the UN Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Ban-ki Moon on 16 October 2007. At this meeting he brought a package of confidence building measures, which was the revised version of the dated 6 July 2006, to the attention of the UNSG.
It is obvious that the implementation of these confidence building measures will help prepare the ground for the start of full-fledged negotiations. The Turkish Cypriot side reiterated at the meeting that it is committed to the immediate resumption of full-fledged negotiations under the good-offices mission of the UNSG to find a solution in Cyprus and years of negotiations have provided us with the necessary body of work to reach a solution.
The Greek Cypriot side on the other hand has communicated its so-called 8-point proposal to the UNSG on 15 October 2007, only a day before the meeting of President Talat. Their aim was clearly to deceive the international community through appearing to be committed to the process, when in fact they are playing politics.
The Greek Cypriot proposals do not contain any suggestion for moving the process forward, let alone for the resumption of full-fledged negotiations. The so-called proposals can only be considered as the Greek Cypriot side’s position paper at best.
The true intentions of the Greek Cypriot side have been revealed at the General Assembly of the United Nations. These past years the Greek Cypriot leader Papadopoulos did not refrain from stating his vision of a settlement. It is apparent the only acceptable solution to the Greek Cypriot side lies through the assimilation of the Turkish Cypriot people within the Greek Cypriot state.
While paying lip service to a federal solution, the Greek Cypriot side envisages a unitary state and would not agree to any other formulation which would require power sharing with the Turkish Cypriots. The responsibility here lies with the international community. The Greek Cypriot side, through concrete action, should be forced to see that a solution in the island can only be achieved through acceptance of the fact that there exist two equal peoples on the island.
Following the Greek Cypriot elections in February, a new initiative by the UN is expected. Regardless of the outcome of the elections, in view of the fact that time is not on the side of a settlement, the new initiative should take into account the existing realities. Years of negotiations have provided us with the necessary body of work for a settlement. Hence, parameters such as political equality, equal status and bi-zonality should be the sine qua non conditions setting out for the new partnership in a future settlement.
At the end of my speech, I feel obliged to stress that we believe in the need for an urgent solution to the Cyprus problem. The Turkish Cypriot people cannot be held hostage to Greek Cypriot aspirations forever. The year 2008 should be viewed as a year for new opportunities and openings for a solution. Your Excellency’s our proposal for the immediate resumption of negotiations remain at the table.
The Turkish Cypriot side continues to be committed for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the good offices mission of the UNSG and on the basis of the established UN parameters and the body of work.
Thank you.
“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 Ihsanoðlu, 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
