TURKISH Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Cyprus yesterday ahead of events to mark today’s 32nd anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion of the northern part of the island.
Unlike Greek Cypriots, who see the July 20 invasion as undoubtedly the most tragic day in the island’s turbulent history, Turks in both Cyprus and Turkey generally view the invasion, and the consequent partition of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as an action justifiably carried out in order to prevent the island uniting with Greece.
Fittingly, while the Turks refer to July 20 as “Peace and Freedom Day”, the Greek Cypriot call it the “Black Anniversary”.
Erdogan’s three-day visit comes amid speculation in the Turkish media last week that the Turkish premier would announce “something different” regarding Turkish policy on Cyprus.
However, on arrival yesterday at the north’s Ercan [Tymbou] airport, Erdogan simply reiterated calls for the ending of the political and economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community.
“Turkey has done what it had to regarding Cyprus. The international community must, in the shortest possible time, lift the unjust limitations [on the north],” he said at a press conference held at the airport.
He also gave his support to the recently agreed restart of negotiations under UN auspices for a settlement of the island’s four-decade conflict.
The Turkish PM also added the standard reassurances that Turkey would remain at the side of the Turkish Cypriots, and would work towards the economic upgrading of the community.
Adding weight to Erdogan’s visit is his entourage of six ministers, 14 parliamentarians and a team of technocrats. It is believed they will work with their Turkish Cypriot counterparts to finalise an economic protocol between the two administrations.
Signing of the protocol was to have taken place yesterday, but was postponed until today after yesterday’s meetings went on for longer than expected.
In statements after his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Erdogan pledged to remain “at the forefront” of peace efforts on Cyprus – something he pledged to do at the start of negotiations on the Annan plan in late 2002.
Talat also spoke after the meeting, telling the press that Turkish Cypriots and Turkey would “continue to extent the hand of friendship” to Greek Cypriots. He warned, however, that peace could not be made “one-sidedly”.
Today Erdogan will attend a series of “celebrations” marking the Turkish invasion, including a military parade in central Nicosia.
According to information release by the Turkish Cypriot press and information office, the parade will be watched by political figures from Germany, Sudan, Pakistan, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Kyrgistan and Macedonia, and journalists from 33 nations.
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