GIRNE - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said that nobody could reach anywhere by ignoring existence of TRNC. He added that ''they wanted an agreement which would protect Turkish Cypriot people's and Turkey's rights and interests stemming from international agreements and coming from the past.''
Eroglu hosted on Sunday a dinner due to July 20 Peace and Freedom Day stressed that spirit of resistance should be revived and existing ties with Turkey should be further strengthened in order to reach success on Cyprus cause which was continuing on a different dimension and platform.
Noting Turkey was always beside them and they reached from the darkest days to the bright days of today together, Eroglu said that Turkish Cypriot people founded its state on a geography which was created by 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.
Eroglu said that Turkish Cypriot people owed their living freely and proudly today to heroes who created July 20, Turkey, Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and Turkish nation and stated, ''we will always remember it.''
Stressing that those who made openings on Cyprus issue were Turkish Cypriots, he said that they did not see any good intention from the other side yet. Eroglu said that they were patient but this patience should not be perceived as weakness.
Eroglu wanted international community to see the facts in Cyprus and added that the European Union (EU) should give up encouraging Greek Cypriot side's uncompromising attitude.
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said that it could not be thought to reach a solution or launch a new process with impositions and unilateral pressures on Cyprus and stated, ''bi-zonal structure, two separate communities and Turkey's guaranty are indispensable conditions for continuation of tranquility on the island.''
Sener said that Cyprus reached peace and tranquility with Peace Operation in 1974, adding that Turkish Cypriots learned and experienced the meaning of being free and how great fighting for freedom was with this operation. ''Peace which came to Cyprus also came to the region and humanity.''
Stating that there has been atmosphere of peace, tranquility and freedom on the island since 1974, Sener said that this atmosphere was valid for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
Noting that it has been seen that some concepts cannot be used arbitrarily when one looks at the past, Sener underlined that there were two different states and bi-zone in Cyprus.
Sener said that Turkey was always beside TRNC and added, ''problems are temporary, but Turkey and TRNC are permanent.''
(EÖ-AÖ) 21.07.2003