CTP Deputy and TRNC PACE Representative Mehmet Çağlar attended meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recently. At the meetings, Çağlar stressed that Turkish is an official language of the ‘Republic of Cyprus’.
Despite this, he added, Greek Cypriots did not confirm Turkish as an official language when they were accepted for full membership of the EU.
Çağlar attended the meetings with UBP Deputy Erdal Özcenk. Speaking at the meeting of the PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, Çağlar stated that Turkish Cypriots’ cultural assets and identities are ignored, and this illegal and unfair stance should be rectified as soon as possible.
Çağlar recalled that Turkish is one of the three official languages of the ‘Republic of Cyprus’, which was established in 1960 on the basis of partnership between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
Whilst the Greek Cypriots failed to recognise Turkish as an official language, Çağlar said that the cultural identity and assets of the Turkish Cypriots have also so far been ignored, and that it is important to compensate this unfair and illegal stance against the Turkish Cypriots.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office
