DECLARATION BY TURKISH CYPRIOT STUDENTS
29 September 2004

"We, the Association of the Turkish Cypriot Graduates of the Ankara University Political Science Faculty;
Being proud of the Turkish Cypriots years-long struggle for existence on the territories of our country, Cyprus, and respecting their decision for a better future given at the 24 April 2004 referendum despite the great sacrifices they would have to make, announce our executive committee’s following decision to the public:
1. The Turkish Cypriot people has been the side that has unjustly treated the most during Cyprus’ handing over to the British and also during the period of the "Republic of Cyprus".
2. At the current point reached on the Cyprus issue, the Turkish Cypriots have proved how much they desire peace by voting "yes" with a high majority at the simultaneous referanda of the settlement plan prepared by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, whereas the Greek Cypriots opposed the plan and a settlement that would have been brought with the plan.
3. Taking into consideration that, in order to achieve a lasting settlement and a tranquil Cyprus, many Turkish Cypriots were prepared to make a new start knowing that, according to the Annan Plan, they would have to leave the places they currently live in, whereas most of the Greek Cypriots without suffering in economic terms would return to their places they lived in before 1974, the importance of the Turkish Cypriots’ decision should be better acknowledged.
4. Despite this, the years-long embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots by the international community are still continuing and it is obvious that neither the EU nor other foreign countries or international organizations have engaged in enough efforts to end the Turkish Cypriots’ isolation.
5. The Association of the Turkish Cypriot Graduates of the Ankara University Political Science Faculty, reminding that the Turkish Cypriots were the equal partners of the "Republic of Cyprus" established with the 1960 Agreements, demands the international community to allow the opening of all air and sea ports to free trade and the use of these ports for direct transportation and to reply to the request of the Turkish Cypriots to integrate with the world. The Association of the Turkish Cypriot Graduates of the Ankara University Political Science Faculty believes that the Turkish Cypriots, as the side who make the most sacrifices in every period in Cyprus, deserve this.

For the public’s kind consideration."