President Ersin Tatar holds virtual meeting with representatives of the Turkish Cypriot civil organisations of Sydney, Australia
President Ersin Tatar has called upon Turkish Cypriots abroad to participate in an online form that has been introduced under the auspices of the Presidency, that will help determine the number of Turkish Cypriots living abroad.
President Tatar made the call during an online meeting with representatives of Turkish Cypriot civil society organisations from Sydney, Australia, where he said: “Our hearts are with you, and I know that, despite being on the other side of the planet, your hearts and love are with us, and with the TRNC, your homeland.”
President Tatar paid special tribute to Turkish Cypriots in Australia who are preparing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their first migration to Australia, adding: “Australian-based Turkish Cypriots are entering their third and even fourth generations, and it is very important to maintain your connection to the TRNC, and to preserve your culture and identity, whilst continuing to live your lives and carrying out your responsibilities to your families and in your work places. This is not something that is easy to achieve and I am grateful for the sensitivities and awareness shown.”
In response to a question relating to allowing Turkish Cypriots in Australia to be able to apply for and obtain TRNC Identity Cards, the President stated that he had specifically discussed the issues facing Turkish Cypriots living in Australia during his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and said: “Motherland Türkiye is very happy to accommodate us in opening an office that will serve the Turkish Cypriots in Australia – specifically our community in Melbourne and Sydney, and to use their embassy buildings. . .this is an issue that will really help our community in Australia, and on which I place great importance.”
President Tatar, upon being informed about the preparations to commemorate the July 20, Peace and Freedom Day celebrations in Sydney, said he was “touched by the devotion of our youth to our national cause”.
President Tatar also stated his continuing support to enable the TRNC nationals who are living abroad to be able to vote in the elections of their homeland, adding: “Irrespective of where Turkish Cypriots live, if you are a TRNC national and fulfil certain criterias, you should be allowed to vote in the elections here, without the necessity of having to physically come to the TRNC. We are living in a global world, everyone is able to follow worldwide developments, including the issues of your homeland, the TRNC. There are many other international examples in the world where nationals of a country are able to vote in elections, even when they live in another country.”
Referring to the Cyprus issue, President Tatar pointed out that when Britain left the island of Cyprus, she had handed over the sovereignty of the island to the Turkish Cypriot People and to the Greek Cypriot People. “Our sovereign equality is an inherent right,” the President said. “We have the right to self-determination. Nobody can ignore the fact that Turkish Cypriot people have a separate language, culture, religion and history to the Greek Cypriots. We are working to reach a sustainable settlement that is based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of the two Sides. We are continuing to explain that equality-based negotiations have been exhausted, because the Greek Cypriot Side has rejected every plan and proposal, for more than half-a-century. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support to the vision we are putting forward, which is also fully supported by the Republic of Türkiye.”
Taking part in the meeting were Turkish Cypriots United Platform (TCUP) co-chairperson Nevin Hüseyin, Northern Cyprus Turkish Association (NCTA) chairman Timur Mehmet, Australian Northern Cyprus Friendship Association Tarkan Fahri, Greenisland Football Club chairman Ahmet Kadir and NCTA honorary members Zehra Ali and NCTA vice president Müge Hüdaverdi.
From the Presidency accompanying the President were Presidential Special Advisor on International Relations and Diplomacy Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Işıksal and Foreign Press Officer Kerem Haser.
President Tatar paid special tribute to Turkish Cypriots in Australia who are preparing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their first migration to Australia, adding: “Australian-based Turkish Cypriots are entering their third and even fourth generations, and it is very important to maintain your connection to the TRNC, and to preserve your culture and identity, whilst continuing to live your lives and carrying out your responsibilities to your families and in your work places. This is not something that is easy to achieve and I am grateful for the sensitivities and awareness shown.”
In response to a question relating to allowing Turkish Cypriots in Australia to be able to apply for and obtain TRNC Identity Cards, the President stated that he had specifically discussed the issues facing Turkish Cypriots living in Australia during his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and said: “Motherland Türkiye is very happy to accommodate us in opening an office that will serve the Turkish Cypriots in Australia – specifically our community in Melbourne and Sydney, and to use their embassy buildings. . .this is an issue that will really help our community in Australia, and on which I place great importance.”
President Tatar, upon being informed about the preparations to commemorate the July 20, Peace and Freedom Day celebrations in Sydney, said he was “touched by the devotion of our youth to our national cause”.
President Tatar also stated his continuing support to enable the TRNC nationals who are living abroad to be able to vote in the elections of their homeland, adding: “Irrespective of where Turkish Cypriots live, if you are a TRNC national and fulfil certain criterias, you should be allowed to vote in the elections here, without the necessity of having to physically come to the TRNC. We are living in a global world, everyone is able to follow worldwide developments, including the issues of your homeland, the TRNC. There are many other international examples in the world where nationals of a country are able to vote in elections, even when they live in another country.”
Referring to the Cyprus issue, President Tatar pointed out that when Britain left the island of Cyprus, she had handed over the sovereignty of the island to the Turkish Cypriot People and to the Greek Cypriot People. “Our sovereign equality is an inherent right,” the President said. “We have the right to self-determination. Nobody can ignore the fact that Turkish Cypriot people have a separate language, culture, religion and history to the Greek Cypriots. We are working to reach a sustainable settlement that is based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of the two Sides. We are continuing to explain that equality-based negotiations have been exhausted, because the Greek Cypriot Side has rejected every plan and proposal, for more than half-a-century. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support to the vision we are putting forward, which is also fully supported by the Republic of Türkiye.”
Taking part in the meeting were Turkish Cypriots United Platform (TCUP) co-chairperson Nevin Hüseyin, Northern Cyprus Turkish Association (NCTA) chairman Timur Mehmet, Australian Northern Cyprus Friendship Association Tarkan Fahri, Greenisland Football Club chairman Ahmet Kadir and NCTA honorary members Zehra Ali and NCTA vice president Müge Hüdaverdi.
From the Presidency accompanying the President were Presidential Special Advisor on International Relations and Diplomacy Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Işıksal and Foreign Press Officer Kerem Haser.