President Ersin Tatar attends an online meeting on the "Strategic Vision of the TRNC" organized by Eurasia Economic Relations Association
President Ersin Tatar participated in the online meeting on "Strategic Vision of TRNC" organized by the Eurasian Economic Relations Association (EkoAvrasya) and answered the questions.
During the meeting, the innovative and developmental strategies and the new vision of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, within the framework of the political, economic, social and cultural were discussed. Ahmet Hamdi, the adviser to the TRNC's Presidency on agriculture, animal husbandry and entrepreneurship, was also present at the meeting which was moderated by Hikmet Eren, the chairman of the association's board of directors.
WE ARE GOING TO GENEVA WITH STRONGER HAND
In response to the question regarding the informal 5 + UN conference which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, President Ersin Tatar stated that Turkish Cypriot side will go to Geneva with a new vision, including cooperation based on sovereign equality of the two states and that this is a significant step.
Pointing to the importance of Turkey's rising power in the region and its support for the TRNC, the President said that they are going to Geneva stronger at a point of further moving their state forward. He added that at the heart of the new vision lies the struggle of the mujahideen Turkish Cypriot people, martyrs, labour, sacrifice, and the right to self-determination.
The President said it is no longer possible to return to a negotiation process on the basis of a federation, which ended with the Greek Cypriots leaving the table in Crans Montana, and that the efforts towards a federation have been exhausted.
In a new vision based on the cooperation of two sovereign equal states, President Tatar said cooperation of two states in many areas, such as water, natural gas, criminal events, and electricity is what they envisage.
THE EU DOES NOT FULFILL ITS PROMISES
Reminding the promises made by the EU in the period of the Annan Plan to the Turkish Cypriots in return for voting in favour of the referendum, and none of them was fulfilled,
President Tatar, on the other hand, noted that the EU promised the Greek Cypriots to join the union regardless of the results of the referendum and recalled that the EU soon unilaterally took the Greek Cypriot side as its member, despite that they voted against a possible agreement in the referendum.
Underlining that by this move, the EU was not fair as it gave the Greek Cypriots with a small population the right of veto in the case of Turkey's EU membership process, President Tatar said it is not possible to talk about the neutrality of the EU because of this.
TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE HAVE A SPIRIT OF STANDING UP FOR THEMSELVES
He emphasized that the Turkish Cypriots have continued their struggle with determination and standing up for themselves despite all embargos and isolation they have faced, while adding that in the last 25 years, investments in the TRNC have increased, and developments in the service sectors such as tourism and higher education as well as in construction have continued. The President also added that the TRNC continues to be an important tourism destination also after the opening of Maraş.
Stating that students who come to study in our country from more than a hundred countries, become honorary representatives of the TRNC when they return to their country, he stressed that higher education is an area that needs to be further developed both for its contribution to the country's promotion and the economy.
President Tatar stated that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to work tirelessly to increase production and productivity and improve service sectors together with human resources in order to carry their achievements to 2033 with the spirit of struggle. He highlighted that the importance of the TRNC in the Eastern Mediterranean has increased even more and it is getting stronger with the support of Turkey.
‘BİR ZAMANLAR KIBRIS “ONCE UPON A TIME IN CYPRUS”” SERIES ACHIEVE IT GOAL
He noted that the Turkish TV series “Bir Zamanlar Kibris” (Once Upon a Time in Cyprus), which had started to be screened by Turkey's state TV channel TRT1 as of April 1, is an effective way to show everyone the just struggle of the Turkish Cypriots.
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THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS ARE ADHERE TO THEIR RELIGION AND BELIEF
In response to a question that Quran courses in the TRNC, President Ersin Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriots are adhere to their religion and belief. He added that the courses would continue and that if there is a legal deficiency, the demand will need to be completed by meeting with the Prime Minister and the National Education and Culture Minister. The President noted that the courses would be carried out under the authority of the Presidency of Religious Affairs and the supervision of the Ministry of Education. President Ersin Tatar highlighted that secularism is important for everyone to practice their religion and freedom of conscience.
“THE REOPENING OF MARAS AFTER 46 YEARS HAS BEEN A SERVICE TO HUMANITY”
The President said that reopening of Maras after 46 years has been a service to humanity and that property owners can claim their rights by applying to the Immovable Property Commission (TMK) under international law. He also said many foundation properties in the region during the British Colonial Rule changed hands in violation of the Charter of Foundations, so the Cyprus Foundation Administration could seek its right also by applying to the TMK.
WE ARE GOING TO GENEVA WITH STRONGER HAND
In response to the question regarding the informal 5 + UN conference which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, President Ersin Tatar stated that Turkish Cypriot side will go to Geneva with a new vision, including cooperation based on sovereign equality of the two states and that this is a significant step.
Pointing to the importance of Turkey's rising power in the region and its support for the TRNC, the President said that they are going to Geneva stronger at a point of further moving their state forward. He added that at the heart of the new vision lies the struggle of the mujahideen Turkish Cypriot people, martyrs, labour, sacrifice, and the right to self-determination.
The President said it is no longer possible to return to a negotiation process on the basis of a federation, which ended with the Greek Cypriots leaving the table in Crans Montana, and that the efforts towards a federation have been exhausted.
In a new vision based on the cooperation of two sovereign equal states, President Tatar said cooperation of two states in many areas, such as water, natural gas, criminal events, and electricity is what they envisage.
THE EU DOES NOT FULFILL ITS PROMISES
Reminding the promises made by the EU in the period of the Annan Plan to the Turkish Cypriots in return for voting in favour of the referendum, and none of them was fulfilled,
President Tatar, on the other hand, noted that the EU promised the Greek Cypriots to join the union regardless of the results of the referendum and recalled that the EU soon unilaterally took the Greek Cypriot side as its member, despite that they voted against a possible agreement in the referendum.
Underlining that by this move, the EU was not fair as it gave the Greek Cypriots with a small population the right of veto in the case of Turkey's EU membership process, President Tatar said it is not possible to talk about the neutrality of the EU because of this.
TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE HAVE A SPIRIT OF STANDING UP FOR THEMSELVES
He emphasized that the Turkish Cypriots have continued their struggle with determination and standing up for themselves despite all embargos and isolation they have faced, while adding that in the last 25 years, investments in the TRNC have increased, and developments in the service sectors such as tourism and higher education as well as in construction have continued. The President also added that the TRNC continues to be an important tourism destination also after the opening of Maraş.
Stating that students who come to study in our country from more than a hundred countries, become honorary representatives of the TRNC when they return to their country, he stressed that higher education is an area that needs to be further developed both for its contribution to the country's promotion and the economy.
President Tatar stated that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to work tirelessly to increase production and productivity and improve service sectors together with human resources in order to carry their achievements to 2033 with the spirit of struggle. He highlighted that the importance of the TRNC in the Eastern Mediterranean has increased even more and it is getting stronger with the support of Turkey.
‘BİR ZAMANLAR KIBRIS “ONCE UPON A TIME IN CYPRUS”” SERIES ACHIEVE IT GOAL
He noted that the Turkish TV series “Bir Zamanlar Kibris” (Once Upon a Time in Cyprus), which had started to be screened by Turkey's state TV channel TRT1 as of April 1, is an effective way to show everyone the just struggle of the Turkish Cypriots.
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THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS ARE ADHERE TO THEIR RELIGION AND BELIEF
In response to a question that Quran courses in the TRNC, President Ersin Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriots are adhere to their religion and belief. He added that the courses would continue and that if there is a legal deficiency, the demand will need to be completed by meeting with the Prime Minister and the National Education and Culture Minister. The President noted that the courses would be carried out under the authority of the Presidency of Religious Affairs and the supervision of the Ministry of Education. President Ersin Tatar highlighted that secularism is important for everyone to practice their religion and freedom of conscience.
“THE REOPENING OF MARAS AFTER 46 YEARS HAS BEEN A SERVICE TO HUMANITY”
The President said that reopening of Maras after 46 years has been a service to humanity and that property owners can claim their rights by applying to the Immovable Property Commission (TMK) under international law. He also said many foundation properties in the region during the British Colonial Rule changed hands in violation of the Charter of Foundations, so the Cyprus Foundation Administration could seek its right also by applying to the TMK.