President Mehmet Ali Talat of TRNC, addressing the foundation anniversary ceremonies, stated that, "we are celebrating a new anniversary of TRNC, which is a concrete expression of Turkish Cypriot people's will to govern itself.
Referring to Cyprus question, Talat said they have been exerting intensive but cautious efforts to find a solution.
"If there are racist and chauvinistic statements refusing that we are one of the owners of Cyprus, they should know that Cyprus is our homeland. No power or intention will be able to root us out from this territory. I want to reaffirm TRNC'S will on this issue," Talat said.
Talat reminded Greek Cypriot side the good will messages in the foundation statement of TRNC and noted, "Turkish Cypriots are ready to share this beautiful island with you. Contribute to solution efforts and don't impede this island's becoming an island of friendship and cooperation."
--HISTORY OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE--
Cyprus joined the EU as a divided island when Greek Cypriots in the South rejected the UN reunification plan in twin referendums in 2004 even though the Turkish Cypriots in the North overwhelmingly supported it. The promise made by EU foreign ministers before the referendums to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and establish direct trade with North Cyprus remains unfulfilled.
Gaining independence from the UK in 1960, Cyprus became a bi-communal Republic where Greek and Turkish Cypriot constituent communities would share power guaranteed by the UK, Turkey and Greece. However, reluctant to share power and pursuing a policy of Enosis (Union) with Greece, Greek Cypriots soon expelled Turkish Cypriots from power and terrorised and ghettoised them.
Decades long armed attacks on the defenceless Turkish Cypriots culminated in 1974 when an Athens-backed Greek Cypriot military coup on the island led to Turkey's military intervention. Although the Republic of Cyprus as described in the 1959 agreements is no longer there, Greek Cypriots continue to enjoy this title and international recognition while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a fully democratic government representing Turkish Cypriots, still suffers under an unfair political and economic blockade
Turkish Cypriot Federal Assembly in its extraordinary meeting on November 15, 1983 unanimously voted for the foundation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and ratified its independence statement.
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