President Ersin Tatar received and met with Foreign Press Association President Selim Sayarı and the members of the board.
Speaking at the reception, President Tatar noted that the Foreign Press Association has counted among its ranks distinguished names who have rendered great service, and stressed the importance of the messages and work directed at the foreign press, through the policy pursued together with motherland Turkey, in making known to the world the presence of the Turkish Cypriot people in this country and our national cause. Stating that, thanks to the possibilities of our age, the rightful voice of the Turkish Cypriot people can be heard through different communication channels, President Tatar emphasised the importance of making the best use of these opportunities and, with the contribution of the Foreign Press Association, making the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people heard by world public opinion.
President Tatar said a new page had been turned after his election as President, and that the new policy — that a just, lasting and sustainable agreement in Cyprus is possible only through the cooperation of two states living side by side on the basis of sovereign equality and equal international status, pursued with the support of motherland Turkey — had been shared with the whole world. Pointing to the importance of acting together with the Republic of Turkey, the largest and strongest country in the region and also a guarantor country, in the light of developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, President Tatar said it was important for the Foreign Press Association to help shape public opinion through its views and proposals in defending this policy and overcoming current difficulties.
Expressing his satisfaction with the association's new line-up, President Tatar said he was ready, as President, to contribute to the new board's work and to help ensure that the right messages are shared with the world. President Tatar said: “At present, a very valuable and strong team is at work to make the voice of the TRNC heard around the world,” and congratulated the new board, wishing them success.
In his remarks, Foreign Press Association President Selim Sayarı said that, as the new board, they had paid their first courtesy visit to President Tatar, explaining that the board members represent respected Turkish media organisations and inform not only the Turkish public but also, through international agencies and media, world public opinion about Cyprus. Sayarı said they carry out their work with the awareness and sensitivity that the Cyprus issue is an international matter, and added that President Ersin Tatar's stance on Cyprus from years ago has continued unchanged and without deviation.
Presidential Press, Publications, Research and Archive Adviser Aydın Akkurt and presidential adviser Gökhan Güler were also present at the reception.
