SULTAN YAVUZ- Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar came together with journalists at the Association of Journalists Press House. The event was attended by Association of Journalists Chairman Nazmi Bilgin, Executive Board member Nursun Erel and “Media for Democracy/Democracy for Media” (M4D) Project Assistant Coordinator Seva Ülman. Association of Journalists Vice Chairman and M4D Project Coordinator Yusuf Kanlı made the opening speech. Tatar emphasized that it is imperative for Turkey to continue as a guarantor for TRNC’s future, and then assessed Cyprus’ situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the “Varosha Initiative”.

Tatar “Nobody can force marriage on us”

Tatar, who supports a velvet divorce solution for Cyprus exclaimed “Nobody can force marriage on us” and underlined Turkey’s guarantorship is imperative for Turkish Cypriots and removing the guarantorship would be unacceptable. Tatar also underlined that it is important to emphasize equality of sovereignty rather than political equality.

Despite not getting any results from the Crans-Montana negotiations, President Mustafa Akıncı has been trying to be optimistic for a possible agreement remarked Tatar, and added that there has been no hope left for the National Unity Party and for Turkish Cypriots after the Annan Plan. Tatar said that as the TRNC Government they are of the opinion that there will be no deal and the two-state structure must be preserved: “We must preserve our state and sovereignty rights. We cannot compromise on Turkey’s guarantorship.”

Varosha will open to the public

Tatar remarked that Turkey is behind Turkish Cypriots as always, and for Turkish Cypriots to further protect their interests and rights they must work pro-actively with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean and added that this is part of the “Varosha Initiative”.

Tatar said: “Varosha has been shut-off for 45 years… After the Annan plan, despite the devotion of Turkish Cypriots, it has come to our attention the Greek Cypriots have not taken any steps in sharing administrative power. Therefore, our government first conducted an inventory process and started the “Varosha Initiative”. The initiative plans to open Varosha to the public, and the most important part of the initiative is that it will be under Turkish rule… The prevailing idea until now was that, as mentioned in the Annan Plan, Varosha would be given back to the Greeks but recent research has uncovered and documented that the majority of Varosha belongs to our Directorate of Foundations. Distribution of those assets is negated legally in our opinion. The Varosha Initiative is very important, and it is backed by the Turkish government. I believe it would be nonsensical for the Greeks to oppose it. The financial and social benefits of this initiative is apparent. Varosha and Famagusta are actually one unit, they are separated by only barbed-wire. When we remove this wire, Varosha will open up and bring strength to our economy. I don’t think it’s going to take much longer to do this.”

Tatar remarked that fixed assets will be returned to their owners, but compensation will definitely not be payed; property will be returned through legal processes. Tatar said “We do not act indifferently from the government of Turkey, we act in consultation of it. There is a UN resolution of protection; Greeks, Turks, Brits, anybody who owns property- and of course property in control of the Directorate of Foundations- all previous inhabitants will be granted the right to abode, but in the control of NCTR. If in fact they are fair [sic], how will they oppose the old inhabitants of this place coming back?”

“Bringing electricity to the area will be a great achievement”

Tatar remarked that NCTR has developed significantly following the Turkish Intervention of Cyprus and has made headway in sectors such as tourism and education. The project of bringing water to Cyprus from Turkey through suspension pipes was deemed “the project of the century” by Tatar, he emphasized that bringing electricity to the region would also be an important achievement: “NCRT has perhaps half-a-million in population, but its location is of supreme importance and protecting it is in the national interest of all of us. It’s everyone’s duty to strengthen the region and establish prosperity.” Tatar mentioned their collaboration with the Turkish Union of Bar Associations and brought up direct flights to NCTR: “One of our biggest deficiencies are direct flights. It is very important that we acquire this right in international courts. We lose potential tourists that have to travel through Turkey due to costs. Cyprus is a touristic island… if we can reach a capacity of 60 thousand beds, this would save Cyprus’ economy. Nobody wants a federal agreement in NCTR; Akıncı does not want one, too. We are going to make our people happy, we are going to strengthen our economy.”

Cyprus came into existence not as a burden but as an important asset

Cyprus came into existence not as a burden but as an important asset for Turkey remarked Prime Minister Tatar, and how important the struggle sustained since the 1960s has been and how this is evident in the current situation in the East Mediterranean today. Tatar stated that it has been through the presence of NCTR that Turkish airplanes have been able to travel with ease in the Eastern Mediterranean: “If it had not been for NCTR, Turkey would have been trapped in Anatolia. With NCTR, there is a matter of command. We would like to make Cyprus a part of Turkey’s agenda and have its power on our side. We would like to welcome the people of Turkey to our country, as tourists and investors. We would like to strengthen our cultural, political and economic ties with Turkey.”