President Ersin Tatar holds online meeting with Melbourne based Australian civil community representatives
President Ersin Tatar held an online meeting with civil organisation representatives of Melbourne, Australia.
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The President underlined the importance he attributes to maintaining close relations with Turkish Cypriots living abroad and addressing their issues.
“Even though you live far away in Melbourne, I know that your hearts are with your homeland, the TRNC,” the President said. “You are all working people with responsibilities but at the same time trying to preserve your Turkish Cypriot identity, culture and heritage through different activities.”
President Tatar, in reference to the Cyprus issue, added: “It is important to take note of the past in order to look to a better future. Our vision is for a new chapter to be opened in Cyprus that is based on the cooperation between the two Sides, that will bring benefits to both Peoples on the island of Cyprus.”
The President added that negotiations for an equality-based settlement “has been exhausted” because of the constant rejection of the Greek Cypriot Side to share power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriot People. “Based on everything that has been lived, and by taking the necessary lessons, we are putting forward new ideas for a settlement that is based on the reaffirmation of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot Side. This is an inherent right that is enshrined in the 1960 agreements. The Turkish Cypriot People are co-owners of the island of Cyprus.”
The President said that the Greek Cypriot Side has no incentive or will to share the island based on equality with the Turkish Cypriot Side,” adding that “our forward-looking vision is based on peace, cooperation and stability for our island and the region”.
The President also said that the Greek Cypriot Side adopted a “zero-troops, zero-guarantees” extremist approach with regards to their demand of ending the Guarantee system of Motherland Türkiye.
In return, participants stated that a vast majority of Turkish Cypriots in Melbourne supported the existence of two States coexisting side-by-side on the island of Cyprus as a basis for a settlement. They also raised issues related to voting rights for TRNC nationals residing abroad and the cost of airfares to the TRNC.
The President also wished the Turkish Cypriots of Australia a Happy Eid.
Taking part in the zoom meeting from Melbourne were the Honorary Representative to Melbourne, Hasan Sayar, Turkish Cypriot Cultural and Solidarity Association and Australia Melbourne Turkish Cypriot Radio Coordinator Hakkı Süleyman and retired bank manager Huss Mustafa.
From the Presidency were Special Advisor on International Relations and Diplomacy Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Işıksal and Foreign Press Officer Kerem Haser.