News from Northern Cyprus
President Mehmet Ali Talat kick started the official celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus today with a keynote speech broadcast on Bayrak Radio and Television at noon.
A 21-gun salute was also performed simultaneously.
President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was established as a result of the Turkish Cypriot People’s desire for self-rule.
He pointed out that this year’s 25TH anniversary celebrations that mark the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus come at a time when the Turkish Cypriot Side is working determinedly to bring about a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.
`We are struggling hard with the hope that the talks would reach success` the President said adding that a positive result would be beneficial for all.
Mr. Talat said `those who examine the reasons behind the establishment of the TRNC will see that the Republic was established to prepare the Turkish Side to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation on the basis of political equality`.
`This is why we are issuing a peace message to Greek Cypriots on the anniversary of our tradition of self-rule` the president said.
The President said the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus may have only been established 25 years ago, the existence of Turkish Cypriot on the island goes back to 450 years ago.
Noting that it was a great injustice towards the Turkish Cypriot people to relate the establishment of the TRNC with the 1974 peace operation, President Talat said that people who make such presumptions are denying the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people and are condemning them to become a helpless minority in Cyprus.