Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar lands in Melbourne despite tensions

·

The Turkish Cypriot leader of the illegitimate “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC), Ersin Tatar landed in Melbourne, Victoria on Wednesday, May 22 to much fan fare from the local Turkish community.

In a post on Facebook, Tatar said he has come to Australia to meet and embrace “our wonderful and resilient people who have settled here since the 1940s.”

“Cyprus, our homeland, and our state, the TRNC, are in all our hearts and will continue to exist. This is our passion, and together, wherever we are, we are ‘one heart’… in Cyprus, Turkey, England, or Australia,” Tatar wrote in the post.

Tatar’s arrival comes amid tensions with Victoria’s local Cypriot community.

Since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus fell to the Turkish military. The north unilaterally declared its independence on 15 November 1983 under the name of the TRNC.

Tatar calls himself the “President” of the TRNC – a territory that is not recognised by any country except Turkey.

The SEKA Victoria Committee has written a letter to the State Premier, Jacinta Allen and the Victorian Minister for Environment Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos to request they ignore the upcoming visit of Turkish-Cypriot politician, Ersin Tatar to Melbourne on Wednesday, May 22.
The SEKA Victoria Committee has written a letter to the Victorian Government requesting that they ignore the visit of Ersin Tatar.

In response, SEKA Victoria – the Justice for Cyprus Co-ordinating Committee – sent a letter to the state Premier, Jacinta Allen on Tuesday, May 21 to request they ignore Tatar’s visit.

In the letter, President of SEKA Victoria Pavlos Andronikos said it would be “totally inappropriate for any Victorian Minister or Government official to meet with Tatar,” and explained that Greek and Cypriot Australians were distressed by his visit.

“We believe that the purpose of Tatar’s visit is to push for recognition of the illegal “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”,” Mr Andronikos said.

The letter concluded by calling on the Victorian Premier to issue a statement making it clear the state government will not engage with Tatar during their visit, and to show their support for the Federal Government’s position on the TRNC.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From Metallica to Maritime: The many lives of Greek shipping tycoon Harry Vafias

Though Greek shipping tycoon, Harry Vafias, spends much time working, it certainly isn't a case of 'all work and no play.’

‘I want them to know their word matters’: Peter Georgiou stands against gender violence

Peter Georgiou, a real estate agent from Rushcutters Bay and father of four-year-old twins Leila and Lola, believes change begins at home.

Thessaloniki’s Byzantine walls to shine with new light project

Thessaloniki’s iconic Byzantine Walls are set to be illuminated under a major cultural initiative announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Greek World Heritage Cities face rising climate threats

Iconic Greek cities—Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes, and Patmos—face serious climate threats, according to a new UNESCO-backed report.

Are apps like Duolingo enough to learn Greek, or do we need a tutor?

For many people who want to learn conversational Greek, an app, can be a very useful addition to your program.

You May Also Like

Teenage entrepreneur Fotios Tsiouklas pushes for more ‘modernised’ Greek school learning

Teenage entrepreneur Fotios Tsiouklas has pushed for more modernised Greek teaching in Greek schools as part of a new guest speaking initiative.

Ange Postecoglou’s Melbourne homecoming soured by Tottenham loss

It definitely wasn't the homecoming that Ange Postecoglou was expecting when he arrived back in Melbourne this month.

Kalambaka: trending travel destination in 2023

Kalambaka, has been listed in the American newspaper, Stars and Stripes as one of the most trending travel destinations in 2023.