Rauf Raif Denktas and Dr. Fazıl Kucuk II. International Cyprus Studies

EUROPEAN AGENCY (AVA) NICOSIA-The opening of the symposium, which was held with the participation of the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ünal Üstel, was held last Friday at the Uğur Umar Conference Hall of the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The symposium, which began with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, was attended by TRNC Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu, TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, members of parliament, and delegations from Turkey and Azerbaijan. The association’s activities were explained at the symposium and a video showing its activities at home and abroad was also shown. Organized with the contributions of institutions such as Lefke European University, Girne American University, Erciyes University, Trakya University, Samarkand Silk Road University, European Leadership University, Eurasia Writers Union, Cyprus Azerbaijan Friendship Society and Bilimdili, the “Rauf Raif Denktaş and Dr. Fazıl Küçük II. The International Cyprus Studies Symposium - Young Turkish World NGO Meeting” ended on February 2.

The Symposium Organizing Committee Chairs were Prof. Dr. Güven Arıklı, President of the Turkish Union Solidarity Association from the European University of Lefke, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökçe Yükselen Peler, Honorary President of the Bilimdili Association from Erciyes University, Turkey.

Prof. Dr. Güven Arıklı

In his speech at the opening of the symposium, Turkish Union Solidarity Association President Prof. Dr. Güven Arıklı explained the work they do as an association, saying, “Our concern is to promote and explain the TRNC everywhere we go,” and said that they carry out this cause with the responsibility they have inherited from the past. Expressing that they emphasize the TRNC at every point in every meeting they go to, Arıklı noted that their emphasis is “Strong Turkey, strong TRNC, strong Turkish unity.” Pointing out the importance of the TRNC flag being everywhere, Arıklı thanked the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Turkish Agency Cyprus (TAK) and all other authorities who supported the event they organized with the aim of contributing to the relations in this direction and being an observer member of the Organization of Turkic States.

Enes İbrahim

North Macedonian Assembly Deputy Enes İbrahim, emphasizing the importance of Turkish unity, noted that such organizations increase unity and solidarity while the Turkish world is going through difficult times. İbrahim, who congratulated Arıklı for his efforts to promote the TRNC and expressed his support, remembered two great leaders, Denktaş and Küçük. İbrahim, who said, “Our duty is to promote and develop the TRNC,” said that they will bring the TRNC to a stronger point in the international community. İbrahim emphasized that the Turkish world will not leave Turkey and the TRNC alone in the Blue Homeland and that they have always supported Turkey and the TRNC, to which they are devoted.

Aliyeva

Azerbaijan Deputy Jale Aliyeva greeted the representatives of the Turkic world, said she was proud and happy to be in the TRNC, and thanked the organizers of the meaningful event. Aliyeva pointed out the importance of unity and solidarity in the Turkic world, and noted that they will take steps together for the future. Expressing that the TRNC took its place in the Turkic world thanks to the determination of the Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan, Aliyeva noted that they said, “We existed as a Turkish union, we exist” and that they continue to work and be united in the same way today. Aliyeva also remembered with mercy all those who became martyrs for the Cyprus cause and the Turkic world.

İskandarov

Azerbaijani MP Anar İskandarov also expressed his pleasure to be in the TRNC, expressed his support for the struggle in Cyprus, and pointed out the importance of independence. Noting that a struggle is being waged against Armenia in Azerbaijan as well, İskandarov talked about the Azerbaijani struggle. İskandarov noted that Azerbaijan stands by the struggle being waged in the TRNC today, and that this is how one can be strong, and drew attention to the importance of Turkish unity and independence. Wishing for a stronger Turkish unity, İskandarov said that Baku is always open to the TRNC.

Ataoğlu

Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu also thanked the deputies and representatives of the Turkish State Organization who visited the TRNC and drew attention to the importance of the symposium. Stating that no one would have the power to prevent the march that was started in the past, Ataoğlu emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity and said that mutual visits are of great importance. Stating that mutual visits play an important role in advancing the unity of Turkish-speaking states, Ataoğlu noted that as the TRNC, they attach great importance to the gathering of young people in addition to cultural, artistic and political visits for the purpose of unity in this process. Ataoğlu stated that the visits made to create a bridge between Azerbaijan and the TRNC strengthened the ties and said, “This bond continues to grow,” and thanked the President of Azerbaijan for the invitation he made to introduce the TRNC. Stating that they aim to spread this to the Turkish world, Ataoğlu said that they will continue to walk on the same path with the same mind. Explaining the importance of the youth meeting, Ataoğlu expressed his belief that they will walk to the end of the road without any obstacles to achieve success as the Turkish world. Ataoğlu said, “See yourself in your own homeland as our brother, TRNC will move forward with the support of its brothers alongside its homeland, welcome to your home.”

Üstel

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel thanked all the guests who were in TRNC for the symposium and pointed out the importance of the symposium organized for the Turkish world to move forward; He thanked Güven Arıklı and everyone else who contributed. Üstel pointed to the history and struggle of the TRNC in the Turkish world and said, “Our past, history, language are one, the fire of Turkishness inside us has grown, our unity has grown every passing day.” Üstel stated that the Turkish world has always been in struggle, without giving up, without fear, without giving up, and has always shown a spirit of solidarity since the Ottoman period, and said that the Motherland Turkey has always been by their side, and that they have given many martyrs until today, but they have not given up the struggle. Prime Minister Üstel stated that with this spirit of struggle and the support of the motherland, peace was brought to the island, but the Greeks did not understand this, and noted that they established the TRNC state, declared their independence to the world and took a giant step into the future. Üstel remembered Dr. Küçük and Denktaş who led the way on this path and said that they will carry the flag they received from their ancestors forward by working within a contemporary structure together with the motherland and the Turkish world despite all kinds of embargoes.

Üstel thanked President Erdoğan and his Vice President Yılmaz for the support of the Republic of Turkey, and reminded them that Erdoğan made calls for the “removal and recognition of the embargoes imposed on the TRNC” wherever he went, including at the UN General Assembly.

Üstel said that the world had been unfair to the Turkish Cypriots for 50 years, stalled them with federation talks, and that no mentality had changed since then. Üstel emphasized that the TRNC was now an independent state and would not be subject to anyone.

Üstel said, “The goal is to unite with the Turkish world, to integrate our people, and to develop cooperation in every field,” and thanked Azerbaijan for the importance and support it gave to the TRNC.

Üstel stated that the TRNC was welcomed with a state protocol in a third country other than Turkey for the first time, and thanked İlham Aliyev on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Üstel stated that they started to establish mutual relations with Azerbaijan in education, tourism, trade and every aspect after that visit, and expressed that they are ready to take every step for the youth to get together more and for tourism to develop.

Üstel stated that they want to develop cooperation in the fields of sports as well as tourism and education, and said, “Turks have no friends other than Turks.”

Üstel pointed out the events in Gaza and Bosnia and stated that the world is watching all these events as it is in Cyprus, and emphasized that the UN was only watching then, just like now, and that is why they will continue to develop mutual relations with the Turkish world in every aspect as an independent state.

After the speeches, Foundations Administration General Manager Prof. Dr. Mustafa Tümer made a presentation. Tümer stated that the Foundation has an important place in the Turkish world and provided information about the Foundation.

The Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ünal Üstel, presented a plaque to Vatan ÖZ on behalf of the European Turkish Press. The president of Kanal Avrupa and European Turkish Journalists, Ali Paşa Akbaş, Adil Elmas on behalf of the Austrian Turkish Press, Özcan Özbay on behalf of the Dutch Turkish Press, Levent Karaağaç on behalf of the Swiss Turkish Press, Ertan ÖZ on behalf of the Belgian Turkish Press were accompanied by the symposium president, Prof. Dr. Güven Atıklı and the TRNC Azerbaijan Friendship Center President Orhan Hasaoğlu.