LEFKOSA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a message on Friday to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas on the occasion of anniversary of July 20 Peace and Freedom Day.
In his message, Erdogan said that July 20, 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation both provided Turkish Cypriot people with looking at the future safely and also laid foundation of an atmosphere where two nations could live safely and peacefully side by side on the island.
Stressing that there were two different states and two different nations in Cyprus, Erdogan said that Turkey would continue to support Turkish Cypriot people and to be a guaranty of peace, stability and tranquility on the island.
Erdogan said, ''there are two different nations, two democratic orders and two different states in Cyprus. Efforts for solution should also be based on those facts in Cyprus. Turkey is in favor of reaching a fair and lasting solution on this ground. We support initiatives and efforts of Turkish Cypriot people for peace and compromise. We think that international community's support to constructive steps which Turkish Cypriot side took in Cyprus will also make easier comprehensive solution at that level.''
Stating that Turkish Cypriot people's success was very important, Erdogan said, ''since they reached that point despite embargoes imposed on trade, economy, transportation, tourism and sports. We continue to call the world for those embargoes to be lifted as soon as possible.''
Erdogan added that Turkey would continue to be guaranty of peace, stability and tranquility in Cyprus and support determination of Turkish Cypriot people on existing as a free and sovereign nation on their own territories and founding a new partnership on the island on those bases.
(EÖ-UK) 19.07.2003