Turkish F.M.: Turkish Cypriots Have Demonstrated They Can Stand On Their Feet

LEFKOSA - Turkish Cypriots had demonstrated that they could stand on their feet since Turkey staged Cyprus Peace Operation in 1974, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday.
Gul, who arrived in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to join July 20th Peace and Freedom Day celebrations, told reporters that the Peace Operation was staged in order to guarantee future and rights of Turkish Cypriots and bring peace to the island.
The Peace Operation ensured regional stability, Gul pointed out.
Stressing that this year was important since referenda were held in the island for the first time since 1974, Gul said, ``Turkish Cypriots have clearly showed that they favor peace with the referenda. The (simultaneous) referenda were important since it helped the world see realities in Cyprus. We hope that a lasting solution that takes into consideration these realities will be found.``
Gul said, ``undoubtedly, we will always have a vision for lasting peace. But, preserving rights of Turkish Cypriots, ending their isolation, and lifting embargoes imposed on them are our priorities. The world can`t deny and ignore these. Therefore, we will expect some developments in coming days.``
Stressing that ``economic development of Turkish Cypriots was an inevitable reality``, Gul said, ``we call on Cypriots living out of Cyprus, Turkish businessmen and businessmen of other countries to invest in TRNC. Cyprus` future will always be bright.``
Gul said that Turkey would always back Turkish Cypriots and noted, ``Turkey has always felt this responsibility and will continue to feel so from now on.``
Asking TRNC to look at the future together with Turkey, Gul said, ``I hope the Greek Cypriot side will also have a vision for a lasting solution, and make best use of this good will and pacifist approaches of the Turkish Cypriots.``

(BRC-AÖ) 19.07.2004