TRNC News Today 16th August 2013

PRESIDENT EROĞLU: ‘ESSENTIAL TO MAKE A PERMANENT, VIABLE AND JUST SOLUTION’

Having made a speech at the 39th anniversary of the Serdarlı’s Liberation Ceremony, President Derviş Eroğlu said that it would be easy to have a solution if all the requested concessions were made and added: ‘It’s essential to make a permanent, viable and just solution. We are in favour of this kind of a solution.’

Mentioning that a solution will be possible if the Greek Cypriots make up their minds and come to ‘reason and peace’ Eroğlu said: ‘However according to their intensified demands and steps taken lately, it does not seem hopeful.’

Eroğlu has indicated that Alexander Downer, the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, has prepared a 77-page document on the compromised issues and Anastasiadis has not given a positive response to it.

Having emphasized that the current borders are consequences of the second phase of the Cyprus Peace Operation started on 14 August 1974, Eroğlu said’ We acquired a piece of land which we live on in security today thanks to the second phase of the Cyprus Peace Operation started on 14th August and we built our own State step by step with our self determination right.’

Having remarked that the biggest Turkish canton, Serdarlı was liberated first, followed by Mağusa and Lefke, Eroğlu said: ‘The reasons that 39 years after, we live here, in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus safely and are able to present our projects hopefully are our resistance, struggle, martyrs and protecting our national case with our motherland Turkey.’

PRESIDENT EROĞLU: “OUR ATTITUDE AT THE NEGOTIATION TABLE IS PEACEFUL AND REALISTIC AND PROPOSES A VIABLE SOLUTION”

The 39th anniversary of liberation of Gazimağusa was celebrated with ceremonies at Polat Paşa Avenue and Zafer Monument in Gazimağusa. At the ceremony, TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu, emphasized that Turkish Cypriots do not think to give up self-determination, bi-zonality and full and effective guarantee of Turkey, and said: “This thought will not harm the Greek Cypriot people”.

Pointing out that the demands of the Turkish Cypriots on a solution are reasonable, the President said: “the attitude we put forth on the negotiation table is peaceful, realistic and envisages a viable solution”.

Addressing the Greek Cypriot side, Eroğlu said: “The result obtained from the negotiations in 4 years is obvious. Let’s continue the negotiations with the intention of an agreement. Let’s solve the Cyprus problem with an agreement. Let’s make Cyprus an island of peace and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean”.

Eroğlu emphasized that if the equality of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots is accepted, the solution will not be difficult and said: ‘We have the same security rights as you do. It is our right to demand prosperity as much as you do. Let’s sit around the negotiation table in October and sign an agreement in 2014.’

Many high government officials, military and political representatives, and civil representatives  attended the ceremony at Polat Paşa Boulevard.

In his speech at the ceremony, Eroğlu said Mağusa was not given the title ‘Gazi’ (war veteran) for nothing, the city showed a legendary resistance based on self sacrifice and devotion to the land, the walls could not be climbed over and it could not be captured.

Touching upon the Cyprus issue President Derviş Eroğlu said the solution should have already been signed but after the elections in the South, in February, the Greek Cypriot leader has not yet returned to the negotiation table.

Having underlined that the Greek Cypriot side does not accept the geography after the peace operation, Eroğlu said in brief: ‘Their aim is to spoil and end the bi-zonality’. They are against the self determination of the Turkish Cypriot community. They do not accept the full and effective guarantee of our motherland Turkey and made it an official assembly decision.’

KAYALP

During the ceremony, the mayor of Gazimağusa, Oktay Kayalp delivered a speech and said that after the rough days the people of Gazimağusa achieved the liberation on 15^th August 1974 and were given the title ‘Gazi.’ (War veteran).

Kayalp remarked that the most important symbols of the existence of Turkish Cypriots in the world are the biggest sea port and the 2 universities which are located in Gazimağusa. Highlighting the fast development of Gazimağusa, Kayalp said that until the first half of the 1990’s Gazimağusa had the characteristics of a town but now it is a world city with rooted and globalized institutions. The stage we reached now is the result of faith and hard work.

BEYAZOĞLU

Can Beyazoğlu from the 4^th Infantry Regiment Commandership said at the ceremony that the liberation of Gazimağusa was a symbol of the struggle of Turkish Cypriot and Turkish soldiers shoulder to shoulder and things they can achieve.

GREAT INTEREST IN TRNC AND GAU STAND AT JORDAN EDUCATION FAIR

It is reported that Girne American University (GAU)’s academic programs and international campuses have attracted attention at the biggest education fair in Jordan, which is one of the leading countries in the Middle East and Arab World.

According to the information given by GAU, TRNC brochures and presentations about the promotion of the country’s tourism given to the visitors were watched with interest by Jordanian and Middle Eastern visitors.

At the Al-Awa’l Initiative Education Fair which is organized in Amman, the capital of Jordan, on 13th and 14th August, academic programs of Marine, Engineering, Architecture, Business Management, Banking, Finance and many other faculties and international campuses of GAU were introduced.

Source : TRNC Public Information Office