LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Wednesday that TRNC would not join European Union (EU) without Turkey.
The 80th anniversary of Turkish Republic is being celebrated in TRNC.
A ceremony was held in front of Statue of Ataturk in Lefkosa. A minute of silence was observed and National Anthem was sung.
TRNC President Denktas, Turkey's Ambassador to TRNC Hayati Guven and Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Commander Isik Kosaner signed the Special Book.
Speaking in the ceremony, Denktas said that Turkey was doing everything to protect rights of TRNC and Turkish Cypriots and expressed pleasure that the motherland was existing and two countries were walking on the same path and would continue to do so.
Denktas noted that Turkish Republic could be established by blood and loss of lives and stated that same agonies were also felt by Turkish Cypriot people.
The motherland saved Turkish Cypriots by blood and loss of lives, Denktas stressed.
Denktas said that Turkish soldiers were ensuring peace at borders and Turkish Cypriots could live in peace and tranquility and added, ''the intrigue aims to force Turkey and Turkish soldiers to leave Cyprus, leave Turkish Cypriots alone and bring them face to face with the Greek Cypriots.''
As there were supporters of colonialists during Ataturk's era, there were ''supporters of Annan'' among Turkish Cypriots today, Denktas noted.
Addressing his nation, Denktas said, ''when they show you a path, consider what kind of a path it is. We will either walk on the road of Ataturk and the road of freedom and state, or we will walk on the road which has no return. You will decide.''
Denktas noted that they were asked to sign documents to end Turkey's rights on Cyprus and stressed that Annan plan served that aim. ''We have neither a hand or a pen to sign it,'' he said.
Annan plan covered decisions taken by the Greek Cypriot national council in 1989, Denktas said.
Denktas recalled that this decision aimed at single sovereignty and state, end of Turkey's de facto and efficient guarantee and departure of Turkish people and soldiers from Cyprus.
''Annan plan is similar to the Sevres agreement which Ataturk tore,'' Denktas said.
Denktas pointed out that 20th anniversary of TRNC would be celebrated soon and asked his people not to forget the problems they faced during the foundation of their Republic.
Emphasizing that they wanted to join EU as a sovereign state and together with Turkey, Denktas said, ''we will not join EU without Turkey.''
Republic Day was also celebrated in other parts of TRNC.
Turkey's Ambassador to TRNC Hayati Guven will host a reception in the evening.
(BRC-AÖ) 29.10.2003