President Ersin Tatar visits Hornsey Atatürk School in north London
“The TRNC will always be by the side of the Turkish Cypriot community in the UK”
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President Ersin Tatar has commended the work of Turkish schools in the UK and has called upon parents to send their children to these schools.
The President, who was accompanied by the TRNC Representative to London Çimen Keskin, First Lady Sibel Tatar and his delegation, stated that it is important for children who risk being assimilated to learn the Turkish language and culture.
President Tatar made the statements during his visit to Hornsey Atatürk School -- a member of the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (UK) -- in north London, where he also commended the voluntary work of the staff and the students who are keen to learning the Turkish language and culture.
“Turkish Schools in the UK such as Hornsey Atatürk School are very important for our children and our youth,” the President said. “I call upon parents to appreciate the importance of these schools because they act as a shield against assimilation. They instil love for the TRNC. They teach children and students the Turkish language, it enables them to socialise and interact with other students who are also of Turkish and Turkish Cypriot origin. They teach our culture and traditions. The Turkish language is spoken by some 300 million people worldwide and is an important language in the world.” The President stated that the use of the Turkish language “has reached an important point in the world,” adding that “Turkic States have come together under the leadership of Republic of Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan”.
The President paid tribute to the late Ali Rıza Değirmencioğlu, his wife Pelin and Kelami Dedezade, who pioneered the establishment of Turkish schools in the UK.
“Turkish schools in the UK have played a very important role in providing A-level and GCE courses to students wishing to benefit from not only learning the Turkish language, but also increasing their points in order to access university. . .It is important to pass down the Turkish language and our culture to future generations,” the President added.
The President added that he was informed about the delayed arrival of teachers from the TRNC, adding that the Presidency was already talking with the National Education and Culture Ministry on the matter. He said he has been informed that there have been delays in the issuing of visas.
“Your contributions have made us stronger”
Emphasising that “we are the representatives of a people whose past is full of suffering," President Tatar said. “It is almost 100 years since the first Turkish Cypriots emigrated to the UK from the island of Cyprus. I commend those Turkish Cypriots who have become successful in the UK during this period, who have contributed to making the TRNC stronger through investments and other projects. The President added that the TRNC has passed through difficult periods such as the economic difficulties that was lived during the pandemic, which has been overcome with the support of Motherland Türkiye.
Noting that the TRNC has passed through important stages in this period with the support of Türkiye, President Tatar stated that statistical data has shown that the TRNC has reached the same levels in education and tourism as those prior to the pandemic. “Economic problems exist all over the world as well as in the TRNC. I believe that the problems will be overcome,” President Tatar said.
Stating that there is a need for the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot People to be acknowledged in order to reach a settlement, the President said: “My new vision is based on the cooperative relationship of two States that co-exist side-by-side. Negotiations for a federal based settlement has been exhausted. He added that if there is going to be a settlement reached on the island of Cyprus, the guarantee of Türkiye and the existence of the Turkish forces must continue.
Importance of the Turkish language
Paying tribute to the “fantastic work” and “sacrifices” of volunteers and families at the school, the President said: “I cannot emphasise enough the importance in passing down to future generations the Turkish language, culture and traditions. I wholeheartedly commemorate the volunteers, hard work and sacrifices of everybody who have continued with determination to keep Turkish language and cultural schools open and to educate thousands of students over a period of many years.”
“Republic of Türkiye stands in full solidarity with us”
President Tatar stated that the “Republic of Türkiye stands in full solidarity with the TRNC and continues to support us across every field,” adding that necessary evaluations can be made between the two countries on this issue of Turkish schools in the UK.
Stating that First Lady Sibel Tatar attached great importance to education, President Tatar called upon the public to support the “Count me In” project that is being held under the auspices of the Presidency. He said the Presidency also had a “Turkish Cypriots Abroad Committee” and he called upon people to visit www.ydkt.goc.ct.tr and to fill out the basic form that is aimed at bringing about communication, solidarity and networking.
The President said it is important for Turkish Cypriots in the UK to stand in solidarity with the TRNC and to be a voice against the injustices, and to lobby for an end to the inhuman isolation and restrictions that has, amongst others, negatively impacted on direct trade and direct travel.Emphasising that the “Cyprus national struggle has not come to an end,” the President stated that “we are fighting for fairness, justice and equal international treatment and status”.
“The UK, a guarantor power, has not only failed to deliver on her obligations towards Turkish Cypriot People, she has also failed to take action to end the injustice that faces our people.”
The President ended his visit with a tour of the classrooms at the school where he spoke with children, parents and staff.