TRNC reacts to British High Commissioner Siddiq over 'internal affairs'

In a statement, President Tatar reacted to the UK's High Commissioner to Southern Cyprus, Siddiq.

Tatar noted that Siddiq, who claimed that the "TRNC will never be recognized," is in no position to offer advice or counsel to Turkish Cypriots and the TRNC leadership.

Pointing out that Siddiq's statements are aimed at tilting the balance in the Eastern Mediterranean in favor of the UK, Tatar said, "The British High Commissioner has no right to interfere in our internal affairs in any way. The Turkish nation is behind us. Just as there will be no turning back on the federation issue, the TRNC will live forever as a Turkish state maintaining its existence in the Blue Homeland in the Eastern Mediterranean, and no one will be able to prevent this."

Strongly condemning High Commissioner Siddiq's remarks, Tatar stated that they will continue on their path with the motherland, Turkey, as they have done until now.

President Tatar reiterated that their preconditions for the start of negotiations with Southern Cyprus are sovereign equality and equal international status.

MINISTER ERTUĞRULOĞLU ALSO REACTED TO THE STATEMENT

TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu also reacted harshly to Commissioner Siddiq in a written statement.

Ertuğruloğlu stated that by interfering in the internal affairs of the TRNC, Siddiq has exceeded both diplomatic and behavioral boundaries.

Noting that Siddiq's statements are intended to provoke the public, Ertuğruloğlu used the following expressions:

"There is no return to the federation model; we have closed that book. As long as the Greek Cypriot side is recognized as the Republic of Cyprus, it has never been interested in an agreement based on a federation. You are the ones who create and fuel the problem. You, who still treat the Greek Cypriot side as if it were the 'Republic of Cyprus,' are insulting the Turkish Cypriot people who are waging an honorable struggle against this. This is rudeness, this is arrogance, and this is a lack of diplomatic courtesy."

Emphasizing that the issue of the TRNC's recognition is not up to Siddiq's whim, Ertuğruloğlu expressed his views: "The fact that the TRNC is not recognized by anyone other than the motherland, Turkey, cannot be interpreted as meaning that this state does not exist. Recognition or non-recognition is not an element that indicates the existence or absence of a state. Whether Irfan Siddiq likes it or not, whether he recognizes it or not, the TRNC is a reality; it exists, and despite him and those like him, it will be recognized by other countries as well."

In an interview with a newspaper, British High Commissioner Irfan Siddiq had used the following expressions: "The Turkish Cypriot leadership needs to be very clear. What do they want? If their position is 'we want sovereign equality and equal international status,' it is not possible for this to be granted. Well then, what will you offer your people? Recognition of the TRNC? That is also not possible. You will not be able to get 2 states accepted!"