Opening Remarks by Alpay Durduran

Dear Guests, Dear Political Party Representatives, Dear Members of the Press, Dear Party Members,

A historic first is taking place in Cyprus; our party is taking the first step towards being a European party. From now on, there is a party that all Cypriots can join.

As we all know, Cyprus had a long history of political parties. It did not start in 1974, neither in 1960. Back in those days, the members were not restricted to either community. However, as nationalism infested our island, even though we did not have strong attachment to religion, we have developed an attachment to nations. National identity became a cultural obstruction and political parties became Turkish or Greek. The only exception was AKEL due to its ideological background but even AKEL was trapped by the cultural obstacles.

Now, Cyprus is a EU member, therefore, not only all Cypriots but all EU citizens resident in Cyprus should be able to participate in politics. This has so far been considered as the right to vote and run in the elections but it is obvious that it has to involve active participation in politics through membership in parties. In the Constitution, the right to form a party and join one is given to citizens. In North, this right is given to Turkish-origin citizens defined in the constitutions. Therefore, our laws are still not in line with EU membership.

With such thoughts, we are creating the first Cypriot party. We believe, we are going to learn to think for whole of our homeland and help in uniting our people.

We believe this action will help a federal solution. It is evident that there are people who are suspicious of the problems of running the federal organs and they are showing extra care which is hindering a solution. There are people who are convinced that even though a decision may not hurt a community, the communal leaders may not consider the interests of the country in general. Therefore, a truly Cypriot party where, even prior to the formation of a federal system, decisions will be taken in unison, will create politics which consider the homeland's interests, reducing the potential problems.

Annan-plan did not foresee a system where politicians will campaign for votes across communal lines. We have the chance to remove this omission but no-one is stressing it. This step is a step towards partially dissolving this barrier.

We have experience the destruction that national aims have created. It is not wise to run after those who ignore their homeland but insist on following national aims to reduce the destruction due to their previous national aims. We are sitting down and waiting for UN and EU to solve the problems. It is illogical to take decisions about the steps that we have to take but formulate them within national aims. Those who are supposed to help have suffered enormously from nationalism, why would they help our national aims?

We asked for help, they gave us the Annan Plan. We should now decide about our future as Cypriots. However, those who rejected the plan has created a chaos in Cyprus which makes the help of those bodies extremely hard.

Unfortunately, Cyprus has became a EU member which has obstructed EU's Cyprus policies. EU does not have a different policy and we have to wait for its formulation. The Northern piece is trying to play the role of a safe-partner during this formulation process and concentrates on the lifting of the isolations. They are hoping that if this fails, it would lead to recognition which is faulty and will make the ease of restrictions harder. The Southern piece is representing the Republic of Cyprus and trying to put obstacles against assumption of Turkey's membership negotiations. It is not showing a common policy with other EU members. These are dangerous policies which hinder the solution efforts.

As Republic of Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot administration is asking for the removal of Turkish troops, expulsion of settlers and Aquis Communautaire. They want to think of a solution after these demands are met. They are asking for the creators of the Annan plan for help. However, the creators have the Annan plan as their formula. They were hoping to reach a solution and then try to meet these demands.

But we want to solve our problems as Cypriots.

We do not have the luxury to ignore these issues. It would be a chauvinist policy to hinder those to whom we asked for help without considering all factors but insisting on one or two factors.

For long will they tolerate policies that obstruct all efforts to improve the living conditions of Turkish Cypriots living in north? The situation is becoming more complicated. Are we handing pro-solution people a smack on the face saying give us permission to keep you under isolation?

We want to create the opportunity in our island where all Cypriots can come together to create common political aims. We want to solve the legal problems that hinder this. We are taking the first step and calling the administrations to change the laws. Until that day, we will work within the laws and provide our people with a European party.

We will not let Cyprus to be a problem within EU. We believe Cypriots will become good EU citizens and both EU and the whole world will benefit. They will act as citizens who think beyond borders within EU, and unlike chauvinists who only consider their national interests.

Towards this end, we will have a chance not through "National Councils" which represent only a half but through formulating policies in accordance with our partners in EU.

I thank you on behalf of my party for attending our congress.

30/10/2004, Nicosia