Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister and National Unity Party (UBP) Chairman Ünal Üstel directed harsh criticism at the opposition during the event held at the Nicosia Atatürk Stadium to introduce his party's 50 parliamentary candidates.
Arguing that the opposition opposes major investments carried out between Turkey and the TRNC, Üstel said, "They say no to all major projects done with Turkey." Linking this stance to the approach of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Üstel stated, "Because the Greek side also says no to these projects."
Speaking at the event attended by party members from the TRNC's 18 municipalities and 6 districts, Üstel said that the UBP has pursued a policy in line with the sovereignty and independence of the state since its establishment. Stating that cooperation with Turkey is decisive in the development of the TRNC, Üstel said, "We walked hand in hand, heart to heart with the motherland Turkey. We stood by our state and our sovereign equality."
CRITICISM OVER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
Üstel claimed that the opposition had also opposed the establishment of universities and the transfer of water from Turkey to the TRNC in the past. Citing the new Ercan Airport, electricity, natural gas, and fiber optic infrastructure projects as examples, Üstel argued that the opposition does not support investments that will contribute to the country's development.
Touching specifically on the fiber project, Üstel said that this investment would provide affordable and faster internet, with a target of reaching 150 thousand households. Claiming that the project was delayed due to the opposition's obstruction, Üstel said, "If they hadn't blocked it, there would be fast internet in 75 thousand homes today."
Üstel suggested that the opposition's opposition to projects with Turkey has a political background. Arguing that objections to water, electricity, natural gas, and fiber projects are linked to a federalist mindset, Üstel declared, "Don't look at their excuses; the love of federation in their hearts has not died and will not die."
EMPHASIS ON TWO-STATE SOLUTION
Touching on the Cyprus issue in his speech, Üstel criticized the CTP's federation policy. Stating that the UBP's primary goal is to protect the sovereignty and state structure of the TRNC, Üstel said, "We say sovereignty, we say our state; they say federation."
Reminding that Turkey supports a two-state solution policy on the Cyprus issue, Üstel said that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey also took a unanimous decision in this direction. Stating that the two-state solution resolution was passed in the TRNC Assembly of the Republic with the support of government partners, Üstel said, "Thank God, we passed the two-state solution through the Assembly together with our government partners."
Recalling that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for the recognition of the TRNC at the United Nations General Assembly, Üstel said that the opposition brought up the issue of rotating presidency during the same period. He also criticized the opposition's decision to boycott Erdoğan's visit to the TRNC Assembly of the Republic.
Touching on his party's goals for the new term ahead of the December 6 elections, Üstel argued that the opposition does not produce concrete projects. Stating that the UBP will continue its investments over the next five years, Üstel said, "We have a lot of work to do for the next 5 years."
At the end of his speech, Üstel stated that the UBP represents "stability" and said his party would return to power. The program continued with the introduction of the UBP's 50 parliamentary candidates.
News Source: 12punto
