Cyprus-Forum.com

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The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce organized a special event today to mark the 9th of May- Europe Day.

The Chamber President Erdil Nami and the German Ambassador to Cyprus Rolf Kaiser, whose country holds the EU term-presidency delivered speeches highlighting the importance of the day.

President Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Foreign Minister Turgay Avci as well as other high ranking state officials and guests also attended the event.
The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce organized a special event today to mark the 9th of May- Europe Day.

The event started with an opening speech by the President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Erdil Nami.

Welcoming the guests to the event, Mr. Nami pointed out that special days like Europe Day gave us the opportunity to remember why historic decisions such as the establishment of the European Union were taken in the first place.

Stating that according to article 6 of the Treaty of Europe, the European Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the rule of law, Mr. Nami said that these principles were common to all member states except for the Greek Cypriot Side.

Explaining that the Greek Cypriot Side had usurped the 1960 Cyprus Republic through a campaign of terror, Mr. Nami said that since then the Cyprus Republic had become undemocratic and illegitimate.

“Complaining that the Greek Cypriot Administration claimed sovereignty and authority over the whole island, Mr. Nami said that the Greek Cypriot Administration did not represent the Turkish Cypriot people both in the European Union and within the international community.

“ situation is further aggravated by the constant efforts of the Greek Cypriot Administration to wage political war on any attempt to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots despite our yes vote to a peace plan supported by the whole world, including the EU.

This cold war he pointed out makes a mockery out of the respect for basic liberties, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

He said that the actions of the Greek Cypriot Administration served no other purpose other than making life difficult for Turkish Cypriots, distancing them further from their neighbors in the South and possibly from a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The Chamber President also expressed his disappointment that the European Union has today become an obstacle instead of a catalyst for peace on the island.

Mr. Nami also complained of the failure of the European Union to honor its promises to lift the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Also Speaking at the event, the German Ambassador Rolf Kaiser said that the European Union’s role in Cyprus was to promote reconciliation and to promote the development of an infrastructure and a business climate for long-term prosperity on the island.

Pointing to the 259 million Euros worth of financial assistance provided by the European Union for infrastructure and environmental projects in North Cyprus, Mr. Kaiser said that he did not know of any other EU support schemes where a sum of around one thousand Euro was earmarked per capita of the population.

Touching upon the stalled EU Direct Trade Regulation, Mr. Kaiser expressed his country’s determination to continue working towards the implementation of the regulation.

Also addressing the guests, President Mehmet Ali Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot people had adopted European Union values and were working towards EU membership.

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot people had demonstrated their willingness towards a solution during the April 2004 referendum, President Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot people had voted in favor of the peace plan in order to achieve the overall goal of EU membership.

The President also called on the European Union to honor its promises to remove the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Following the speeches, a cocktail party was held.

Meanwhile, a panel, titled `Cyprus Problem and Vision for a Solution` organized by the Cyprus EU Society will also be held today.

The panel – which will take place at the headquarters of the Cyprus Turkish Doctors’ Union will start at 8.00 o’clock tonight.

The 9th of May, Europe Day will also be marked during the panel.