President Ersin Tatar on Thursday delivered a conference on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s role in the Blue Homeland at the Kayseri University in Turkey.
He explained the Turkish Cypriot peoples’ history and the struggles they had waged for their freedom and the support provided by Turkey.
Noting that upon the Turkish Cypriot peoples request Turkey had sent troops to the island and had carried out the 20th of July 1974 Peace Operation, President Tatar said that there have been two entities on the island since then.
Explaining that with the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983 the foundation for rights, law, peace and tranquillity had been laid, Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriot people are continuing to live their lives in peace, without fear and in security.
“At the same time, Turkey has a coastline of more than 2000km from Iskenderun to the Aegean Islands,” said Tatar and added that Turkey has jurisdiction both in the air and at sea in all the areas between Turkey and the TRNC.
“Our current policy, our stance in the Eastern Mediterranean, our position and our sovereign rights are very important. We must protect our rights if we want to get our share of hydrocarbon riches, which may meet our gas and energy needs for years to come,” he said.
Emphasizing the fact that for the past 60 years there have been two separate states living side by side in Cyprus, Tatar said, “Of course, recognition will come one day. The world cannot close its eyes to this fact forever”.
Referring to the confidence building measures in Cyprus, Tatar stated that some suggestions have been put forward by the Greek Cypriot side but added that these proposals are not feasible.
“They proposed that we return Maraş and that maybe Ercan Airport may be opened to direct flights under the auspices of the United Nations. It is not possible for us to accept such a thing,” said Tatar and added that the Maraş opening, which has been closed for 47 years, is a very important part of the new two-state policy.
“With the opening of Maraş under our sovereignty, life has returned to the area. How ridiculous that they expect us to lose Maraş then open our own airport to direct flights under the auspices of the United Nations. This means compromising our sovereignty to the Republic of Cyprus. This is a development that weakens the status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This is not a development that Turkey would look favourably towards,” said Tatar and added that what’s important is the survival of the nation and the Turkish Cypriot peoples’ existence.
He also stated that their vision is to further strengthen the TRNC.
Within the framework of his visit to Kayseri, President Ersin Tatar also took part in the Cyprus Veterans Meeting Program.