A new page had been opened in Cyprus

Denktas received Turkish Land Forces Commander Aytac Yalman, who came to TRNC to visit and inspect Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Command.

Denktas said, "there is a new point of view towards Cyprus issue. We shouldn’t degenerate this new point of view and new page."

TRNC President Denktas said that Turkish Cypriots were sleeping comfortably and living in security thanks to Turkish soldiers stationed in Cyprus.

"The reality that emerged in this new page is the reality which the world has refused to accept for 40 years. That is, the Greek Cypriots don’t have the right to say a word on behalf of Turkish Cypriots. That is, they are not the government of Turkish Cypriots and will never be so. That is, two equal sovereign nations exist in Cyprus and these two equal nations have the right to determine their own future with their own will. This was the meaning of the simultaneous referenda in the island. Turkish Cypriots used their right to reach a compromise. But, by looking at the result of the referendum in TRNC, it is very wrong to think that 65 percent of TRNC people are not in favor of their state. Because, majority of 65 percent of TRNC people said ‘yes’ to the (United Nations Secretary General Kofi) Annan’s plan since they were told that ‘TRNC will be recognized’," Denktas said.

Denktas stated that TRNC wanted existing realities to be accepted.

Turkish Cypriots should never give up their sovereignty, existence of their state, Turkey’s guarantee, and equal rights of Turkey and Greece on Cyprus, Denktas stressed.

Yalman, in his part, said that it was not possible to negotiate Cyprus issue on the basis of Annan plan from now on.

Turkey’s status as guarantor power was very important not only for Turkey, but also Turkish Cypriots, Yalman noted.

Yalman added, "as you mentioned a while ago, a new page has been opened. And, security and peace of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey’s rights and interests will be considered more meaningfully and comprehensively and protected from now on. You should have no doubts about it."

TRNC and Greek Cypriot side voted UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in simultaneous referenda held on April 24.

Sixty-five percent of Turkish Cypriots voted "yes" to the Annan plan while 35.09 percent voted against the plan in the simultaneous referenda. A total of 75.83 percent of the Greek Cypriots said "no" to the plan while 24.17 of them voted "yes."

The rate of participation in the referendum was 84.35 in TRNC and 96.53 percent in the Greek Cypriot side.

Thus, Annan plan was not put into practice in the island.