Speaking at a joint press conference with President Akıncı of the TRNC, President Erdoğan said: “Turkey will never allow the Turkish Cypriots to be made victims of any deadlocks or to become a minority in a Greek Cypriot state.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for an official visit, held a joint press conference with President Mustafa Akıncı of the TRNC at the Presidential Palace.
“WE HAVE SET A PRIMARY GOAL OF TURNING THE TRNC INTO A CENTER OF ATTRACTION”
Stating during his speech that they have set a primary goal of doubling the per capita income by turning the TRNC into a center of attraction in the upcoming period, President Erdoğan underscored that they have always stood and will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots. Noting that during the meetings he held with President Akıncı, they discussed important issues on the agenda, President Erdoğan added that they also made a situation assessment of the stage reached at the solution process of the Cypriot issue.
“TURKEY WILL NEVER ALLOW THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS TO BE MADE VICTIMS OF THE DEADLOCK”
“Cyprus is our national cause, and finding a fair and lasting solution in Cyprus is our objective,” President Erdoğan underlined, adding: “As the Turkish side, we have made every kind of effort on this issue over the past 50 years. But, despite all our efforts, unfortunately, the latest process aiming a comprehensive solution in the island ended when the conference on Cyprus failed last year. And the reasons of this failure are the Greek Cypriots’ continuing to think themselves as the island’s sole owners and not being interested in establishing a partnership with the Turkish Cypriots based on a political equality and in sharing the political power. Although a year passed since then, sadly, this mentality of the Greek Cypriots has not changed in the slightest way. No one should have any doubt anymore that the Greek Cypriots do not imagine a future with the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey will never allow the Turkish Cypriots to be made the victims of any deadlocks or to become a minority in a Greek Cypriot state.”
“WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND BY THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS UNDER ALL CONDITIONS”
Turkey has been making efforts, and will continue to do so, with determination and in good faith towards a settlement that will contribute to the strengthening of stability in East Mediterranean, President Erdoğan underlined, saying: “Independently of the course of this process, we will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots under all conditions as we have done so far.” Stressing Turkey’s expectation for a just approach in line with the international law on the part of all the relevant parties regarding the economic industrial zones around the entire Cyprus, President Erdoğan noted that Turkey will otherwise continue to do whatever is necessary within the framework of international law as it has done so far.
TRNC PRESIDENT AKINCI: “IT IS EVIDENT THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS, ISOLATED FROM THE WORLD, NEED TURKEY’S SUPPORT”
TRNC President Akıncı, for his part, expressed his wish for the new era and beginning to lead to auspicious outcomes for Turkey, and said: “It is evident that the Turkish Cypriots, unrightfully isolated from the world, need Turkey’s support in order for our country to develop in all areas. I believe that the environment of cooperation between our countries will further deepen in the new era under Mr. Erdoğan’s presidency. In this regard, I see benefit in emphasizing the importance of our governments undertaking serious and planned endeavors for the formation of a structure that will enable the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to stand on its own feet.”
Completing his official talks in the TRNC, President Erdoğan left Lefkosa following the joint press conference.
