President Eroglu receives dignitaries

LEFKOSA (A.A) - November 15, 2011 - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is celebrating the 28th anniversary of its foundation on Tuesday. Celebrations began in capital Lefkosa at the TRNC Presidency where President Dervis Eroglu received dignitaries including high level Turkish Cypriot officials, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, Turkish Parliamentary Administrative Head Salim Uslu, Chairman of the Turkish main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Commander of Turkish Air Force General Mehmet Erten, Deputy Chairman of Democratic Left Party (DSP) Dursun Erturk, Chairman of Democrat Party (DP) Namik Kemal Zeybek and veterans of Turkish Peace Operation of 1974. A special ceremony was held at the Lefkosa Ataturk Monument following the celebration at the TRNC Presidency. Officials laid down wreaths at the monument and flags were hoisted while the Turkish National Anthem was sang. Later, Turkish Cypriot and Turkish officials proceeded to a ceremony held at the mausoleum of Dr. Fazil Kucuk. An official parade will take place on Dr. Fazil Kucuk Boulevard as part of the celebrations on Tuesday. Turkish Cypriot Federal Assembly in its extraordinary meeting on November 15, 1983 unanimously voted for the foundation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and ratified its independence statement.