TRNC Prime Minister Üstel reacts to Greek Cypriot leader Christodoulides' statements on Maraş

Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ünal Üstel has reacted to statements made by the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA), Nikos Christodoulides, regarding territorial demands from the TRNC.

According to a written statement from the TRNC Prime Ministry, Üstel characterized the recent remarks by Christodoulides and his close associates as "provocative, unrealistic, and hostile."

Stating that Christodoulides' rhetoric of "we will return" to Maraş and his demand to "return Maraş" are unacceptable, Üstel argued that these expressions ignore the realities in Cyprus.

Üstel used the following expressions:

I strongly condemn the series of provocative, unrealistic, and hostile statements made recently by Greek Cypriot Administration leader Nikos Christodoulides and those close to him.

Üstel also opposed assessments suggesting that the return of Maraş would act as a "catalyst" for a solution, stating that this approach demonstrates a detachment from the essence of the problem.

Holding the Greek Cypriot leadership responsible for the failure of solution processes in Cyprus, Üstel said, "The undeniable reality of Cyprus today is the existence of two separate sovereign states."

In his statement, TRNC Prime Minister Üstel noted that while the Greek Cypriot administration sends messages of a solution on one hand, it simultaneously attempts to obstruct the cultural and artistic activities of the Turkish Cypriot people. He cited the initiatives against a music festival planned to be held at Kyrenia Castle as an example of this.

Üstel stated, "I also strongly reject this oppressive and hostile mentality that aims to stifle the Turkish Cypriot people. On one hand, there is rhetoric of a solution, and on the other, a mentality that attempts to usurp even the most fundamental rights of the Turkish Cypriot people."

Sending a message of determination to the Greek Cypriot side, Üstel noted that, as in the past, no attacks against the honor, right to live humanely, sovereignty, freedom, and state of the Turkish Cypriot people will be permitted in the future.

News Source: 12punto