RBL celebrates its centenary
From left, RBL Kyrenia Branch vice-chairman Les Evans, branch vice-president Sabri Abit Muhsinoğlu, TRNC President Ersin Tatar, branch founding member Elizabeth Forsyth and RBL Kyrenia branch chairman David Horsfall
THE Royal British Legion (RBL) Kyrenia Branch hosted a lunch yesterday to commemorate the RBL’s centenary.
President Ersin Tatar was among the guests at the event held at Niyazi’s restaurant in Girne in accordance with Covid-19 measures.
Speaking at the event, President Tatar thanked branch chairman David Horsfall for inviting him to join the 100th anniversary celebrations.
“I join you here today as a friend and a supporter of the great work the RBL undertakes here in the TRNC,” Mr Tatar said.
“You should be very proud of your effort, which continues to make a real difference. Along with David I would also like to thank branch president Sir Michael Graydon, and Sabri Abit Muhsinoğlu.”
Mr Tatar also praised the expat community for their contributions and charity work in the TRNC, saying: “I see the expat community here in North Cyprus as a very important part of our wider family. You will all be aware of my ongoing efforts as your President to help readdress the injustice that we currently face and the huge uphill struggle to rebalance that situation.
“Today we stand at a point where we must make change happen and join together a broader campaign to support that direct effort.
“The plight of the TRNC has to be raised internationally to challenge the wider issue of resolving the recognition of the TRNC, which is the key to unlocking, amongst other things, the direct flights issue.”
President Tatar said they are “currently progressing on the redevelopment of Ercan airport to internationally approved standards, and will shortly be capable of operating direct flights in readiness for such an approval.”
Mr Tatar added: “We’ve never stood together as a wider North Cypriot community, both here and overseas, with a ‘single voice’ but now is the time. I call on you all to help support that effort.”
President Tatar commented that the TRNC is taking steps to “improve our day-to-day lives during this difficult period during the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“We have pushed ahead with our vaccination campaign, which continues to drive forward, and I know a great deal of you have benefitted from that effort,” he said.
“I hope that this global effort gathers pace [so we can] ease the current restrictions.”
Mr Tatar said that he is “mindful that we want to see our families and friends returning to the TRNC” from abroad and that he is “aware that the government is working to review the introduction of the ‘double vaccine/double PCR and no quarantine rule’ on June 10”.
“Clearly, there is more to consider, but I hope that this is an opportunity we can take. Despite everything, we must never forget we live in a beautiful country and I wish you all a very happy Bayram.”