President Tatar: “Over the years, we have never been at such a secure point as now to defend our State”
President Ersin Tatar has underlined the immense importance Turkish Cypriot give to their “sovereignty” and to the support/guarantee of the Republic of Turkey. The remarks were made by the President whilst receiving the management of the Organisation of Vakıflar (Foundations) and Religious Affairs, headed by Durali Elal, on Friday.
The President said: “We have never been in this secure and confident point over the years before to be able to defend our own state. We are today following a clear policy. It is out of the question to take any steps back on our policy, which is fully supported and backed by Turkey”.
“TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE EMBRACED SALVATION IN 1974 DUE TO GUARANTOR TURKEY”.
President Tatar said that Turkey being a guarantor country delivered salvation to the Turkish Cypriot people in 1974 and added that “Turkish Cypriots, have been determining their own future” and following his election as the President, once again got the chance to shout to the world their right of self determination. The President stated that this is always being explained to the foreign dignitaries during their visits.
“WE ARE PROPOSING A BASIS OF COOPERATION OF SOVEREIGN TWO STATES THAT CO-EXIST SIDE-BY-SIDE”
Stating that the old “federation model has collapsed,” President Tatar said: “We are now proposing a cooperation based on the sovereignty of two States that coexist side-by-side. All sides will benefit and gain from the cooperation of the two sovereign States in energy, environmental and many other fields.”
“A RIGHT THAT IS NOT BASED UPON SOVEREIGNTY, IS NOT A RIGHT”
President Tatar echoed the famous saying by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, where he said “a right that is not based upon sovereignty, is not a right.” He said “sovereignty and the support of the Republic of Turkey are important for the Turkish Cypriot people”.
“WE ARE GOING TO THE FIVE-PLUS-UN INFORMAL MEETING TO EXPLAIN OUR NEW IDEAS”
Stating that as separate and different people, Turkish Cypriots want to be a sovereign part of a fair, long-lasting and sustainable agreement, President Tatar said that they will be putting forward new ideas at the five-plus-UN informal meeting that is to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, between April 27-29.
“VAKIFS (FOUNDATIONS) HAVE HONOURABLE DUTIES”
The President said that the Vakıfs (Foundations) carry out honourable duties for the benefit of the public and that the Vakifs have rights in Maraş too which will be resolved in the Courts of Law.
Mr Elal in return said that the policy of President Tatar, supported fully by the Republic of Turkey “will bring freedom for our state”.
Elal stated that the Vakifs are well versed in the history of Cyprus and properties of Vakifs, and are ready and prepared to provide assistance in the negotiations.