President Ersin Tatar addresses an event as “Guest of Honour” in Manchester attended by UK Parliamentarians, mayors and diplomats
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President Ersin Tatar has participated as Guest of Honour in an event organised by the British Heritage Centre in Manchester (BMHC).
The “Appreciation Dinner” was organised to express appreciation to Seyfi Onur Sayın, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye and Tariq Wazir, Consul General of Pakistan – who have both completed their terms in office.
The event, which was held at the House of Wisdom, was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, Osman Koray Ertaş, High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Mohammad Faisal, and Parliamentarians including Afzal Khan CBE and local mayors and civil society representatives from the Muslim community of the area. Also in attendance was Turkish Cypriot businessman Ziya Emir.
Addressing the event, President Tatar said: “I am very happy to be here tonight, and I wholeheartedly extend the greetings of my people, from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Your brothers and sisters, the Turkish Cypriot people, are in a struggle to end the inhumane isolation that has been unjustly imposed on us for decades, which prevents us from the enjoyment of direct flights, direct trade and direct contacts. Despite the refusal of the Greek Cypriot side of UN-supported solution plans to the protracted Cyprus issue, they have been awarded EU membership, whilst my people have been left out in the cold. The promises by the international community to end the isolation has not been honoured to date. I appeal to you all, in the name of justice, in the name of human rights, to remember your Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters who cannot even participate in an international friendly in sports due to the obstructionist approach by the Greek Cypriot side.”
Explaining that he is putting forward a two States position for a settlement in Cyprus, President Tatar said: “For more than 60 years, Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot People have arduously put forward sincere efforts to reach a settlement. These solution plans have been rejected by our neighbours in the South because of their refusal to share power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriot people on the basis of equality. I am putting forward a realistic and sustainable two State vision and position for Cyprus that is based on peaceful coexistence and good neighbourly relations, based on our sovereign equality and equal international status, which is our inherent right. Negotiations on the federal basis – that has been held for several decades, has been exhausted. The Greek Cypriot people, in April 2004, rejected the Annan Plan in the separately held simultaneous referenda by 76 per cent, which was accepted by 65 per cent of Turkish Cypriots. The last and final negotiations on the federal basis failed in July 2017 in Crans-Montana. We are justified in our two State position, that is fully supported by the Republic of Türkiye. I wish to express my gratitude to Pakistan for their support to the TRNC and my people.”
“The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is an independent Turkish republic in the eastern Mediterranean. Our Motherland, the Republic of Türkiye, is an important superpower in the region. And I extend my gratitude to Osman Koray Ertaş, the Ambassador of Türkiye, for his invitation to me for this event.”
President Tatar added: “Today, I pay tribute to the strong brotherly relations that exist between Türkiye and Pakistan, both powerful Muslim nations who have been acting together for centuries. We are tonight in Manchester all together, a thriving city of the UK.”
The President, who thanked Mr. Khan “for his services and work for the community”, stated that he is a Parliamentarian and also the first Muslim mayor of Manchester, who was awarded a CBE in 2008 for his work on community cohesion, inter-faith and local government.
President Tatar continued: “I wish to congratulate all those men and women who have contributed to the strong bonds and links between Manchester and your Motherland, Pakistan, and your friendly countries Türkiye and North Cyprus. I believe very much in the need to act together in solidarity in these challenging days. We are stronger if we are together, if we share common interests, if we have belief and conviction in our cause that Muslims have contributed significantly to humanity, and that we have a rich history. Our ancestors have given a lot to science, religion, and being brothers and sisters in this peaceful environment. Your unwavering commitment to serving your communities here in the UK—and your dedication to strengthening cultural, commercial, and social ties—deserves our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.”
Referring to the Turkish Consul General, President Tatar said: “Thank you for tirelessly supporting the Turkish, Turkish Cypriot and many other communities in the UK. I especially wish to thank you for all the organisations and help during my visit to Manchester last year, which enabled me to meet so many Parliamentarians, mayors, businesspeople and civil society representatives from diverse communities. We deeply appreciate your efforts on everything from cultural events and education, to helping families, far from their homelands, feel at home here in Manchester.”
To the Consul-General of Pakistan, President Tatar said: “Thank you, Mr. Consul General, for your engagement with the British‑Pakistani community You have championed integration, education, and welfare, while building bridges across communities. Your dedication is an inspiration to all of us.
Both of you, working side by side, have enhanced multicultural cooperation in this country. You have not just represented your nations—you’ve enrichened the cultural fabric, shared heritage, values, and all with mutual respect. You have helped the Muslim community. I extend my best wishes to you all for the future."