TRNC Prime Minister Üstel reacts to GASC

Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ünal Üstel has reacted strongly, stating that the Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus (GASC) has recently been targeting the international contacts, economic and social life, institutions, and sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriot people.

In his statement, Üstel expressed that they condemn the GASC's "systematic pressure and obstruction attempts." Responding to the Greek administration's rhetoric targeting TRNC territory, Üstel emphasized that these steps would not cause the Turkish Cypriot side to abandon its rights and sovereignty.

Üstel cited the pressures on an international music event planned to be held in Kyrenia, the attempts to block contacts that TRNC Presidential Undersecretary Mehmet Dana was to hold with foreign diplomatic representatives, and the demands and threats regarding Varosha, Famagusta, and Kyrenia as examples. He argued that the pressures exerted through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) are also part of the same approach.

"THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE WILL NOT ACCEPT ISOLATION"

Stating that the Greek administration speaks of federation, reunification, and confidence-building measures on one hand, while trying to block the Turkish Cypriot people's contacts with the outside world and their international events on the other, Üstel said this attitude damages the environment of trust.

Üstel noted that the Turkish Cypriot people have the right to establish relations with the world and express themselves, adding that no party can dictate to the TRNC who it will meet with or which international event it will organize. Prime Minister Üstel said, "The Turkish Cypriot people will not accept isolation, blockades, and inhumane practices; they will protect their state, their rights, and their sovereignty to the end."

In his assessment regarding the Immovable Property Commission, Üstel stated that the IPC is a mechanism established by the Turkish Cypriot side with international approval and operated by its own institutions. Stating that the GASC's attempt to neutralize the commission through political pressure is unacceptable, Üstel indicated that the property issue cannot be turned into a tool targeting the TRNC economy and investments.

Üstel also said that Turkey's effective and de facto guarantee and the deterrent presence of the Turkish military on the island cannot be made a subject of debate regarding the security of the Turkish Cypriot people. Stating that they are in favor of dialogue and cooperation, Üstel emphasized that this does not mean the Turkish Cypriot people will give up their rights, sovereignty, and state.

Sending a message to the GASC that it "will not get results with old methods," Üstel stated that if the Greek administration wants a new era, it must abandon its policy of pressure, threats, and obstruction toward the Turkish Cypriot people.