He described the ban imposed on the activist and former PKK "deputy" as a "state decision" which they respect, doctor Okan Dagli by "foreign minister" Hassan Tatsoi, while several TC politicians and guilds criticized Turkey's action.
According to WFP, speaking to Sim TV, Tatsoi said that despite respecting this decision they are taking steps to resolve the issue. "Previously we forwarded the matter to the relevant authorities but it was not taken into consideration because it was a state decision. We will do everything in our power to rectify this situation. It is wrong that a person on a diplomatic mission cannot enter Turkey. What are the reasons for this and what should be done, we will discuss this."
They will do everything they can, he added, to promote their relations with Turkey and to be able to solve these problems.
When reminded by the reporter that three more Turkish Cypriots were banned from entering Turkey, Tatsoi replied. But we will have a meeting for the people who have a diplomatic mission. We are in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. They tell us that this is not a bureaucratic obstacle, but a state decision."
He noted that they had also contacted Turkey's "embassy" in occupied Nicosia and received the same response. "We respect the decisions taken by states. We once made such decisions ourselves. We will ask about the reasons noting our respect for them and we will try to solve it stressing that Turkey is our only door to the world."
The ban on the entry and deportation of Okan Dagli was criticized in a post on the media by PKK President Toufan Erhiurman and described the excuse given as "abstract", noting that it is not possible to accept this practice. "We made an appeal before but there was no response. I appeal again to Mr Tatar, Mr Suzhouoglu and Mr Tatsoi. There has been quite a delay. Take the necessary action before the authorities of the Republic of Turkey and properly inform the Turkish Cypriot people and especially those who have been exposed to this practice. This is a responsibility incumbent upon you by the offices you hold."
In his own post on social media, CL Chairman Kourtret Ozersay pointed out that every state can have a stop list of foreigners whom it bans from entering its country as part of its definition of national security.
Recalling that similar events happened in the past and that Turkish passports of Turkish Cypriot politicians were cancelled because they criticized the policy or government of Turkey, Mr. Ojersai noted that if we now add to this the practice of being banned from entering Turkey for criticizing the government of the country, "the course of events is and should be of concern to all those who attach importance to democracy and relations with Turkey."
Who knows that the same will not happen to other Turkish Cypriots, Kundret Ozersai wondered, noting that Turkey is their window of communication with the world and helps them overcome the "travel embargo" imposed on them.
He expressed the view that the "rulers" in the occupied territories should discuss the issue with the Erdogan regime and clarify the reason why Turkish Cypriots are prevented from entering Turkey and who are the people who have been banned from entering.
The Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Guild (KTÖS) said in a statement that this behavior and treatment by the AKP shows that all T/C intellectuals are subjected to terrorist behavior. "All of us and not one of us are accused of behaviors contrary to national security. Turkey, which is one of the three guarantor countries and was given the responsibility of protecting the territorial integrity and constitutional order of the Republic of Cyprus, has once again abused this duty."
The Left Movement recalls that Dr. Dagli contributes to the development of relations between the two communities and recommends beneficial partnerships for his city, while at the same time offering medical services to both communities. The movement accuses Turkey of causing polarization and that Turkey sees its relationship with Turkish Cypriots not as a "mother-daughter" and fraternal relationship, but as a relationship of colonizer and colony.
In a statement today, the PKK, of which Okan Dagli was a "deputy" in the past, said that the ban on Dagli's entry into Turkey cannot be accepted on the grounds of his participation in activities against Turkey. He called on Ersin Tatar and the "government" to take appropriate action on the matter, noting that as PKK they will follow the developments.
It is noted that the ban on entry on the same grounds occurred for 3 other TCs and since then they had asked for the list of names to be made public, however no one, neither the "presidency", nor the "prime ministry", nor the "supreme court" seems to have done anything about it.
According to what was published in the T/C press, Okan Dagli on his return to the occupied territories on Friday night stated that he was detained for 8 hours and returned back after he was not allowed to enter on the grounds that he was taking actions against Turkey's security. He said that during those 8 hours the friendships he made in Turkey, the people who taught him the profession of a doctor, many nice days he spent there and nice people he met passed before his eyes like a film.
Source: KYPE
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