CYPRUS MIRROR
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President’s Office reacts to EP report on Türkiye

President’s Office reacts to EP report on Türkiye

The Office of the President expressed on Thursday its strong reaction to the European Parliament’s latest report on Türkiye.

Publish Date: 11/06/22 08:58
Update Date: 11/06/22 09:46
reading time: 5 min.
President’s Office reacts to EP report on Türkiye
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A written statement from President Ersin Tatar’s office said that “unacceptable expressions in the European Parliament’s 2021 Türkiye report has gone beyond membership solidarity becoming a document comprised of the Greek Cypriot side’s official positions.

The statement issued by the Office of the President on Thursday slammed the European Parliament, stating that the Rapporteur it had appointed had ignored the realities on the island and the region, reflecting directly the official position of the Greek Cypriot side.

“What the European Union (EU) and related parties must understand is that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is just as sovereign as the Greek Cypriot side and that under no condition will it abandon this vested right,” the statement read.

It added that the generalised, biased expressions which ignore the Turkish Cypriots, reveals the outdated vision of the EU institutions on the Cyprus Issue.

The statement added that the biased stance adopted in the latest report backs the Turkish Cypriot side’s claim as to why the EU should not be part of any future negotiations process on the Cyprus Problem.

The President’s Office said that expressions in the section of the report referring to the Cyprus Problem reveal that the EU is clueless on the process being continued through the initiative of the UN Secretary-General.

“The president has tabled a new vision after taking office, pointing out that the exhausted federal basis for talks, which has repeatedly proven to be unsuccessful, is no longer valid for the Turkish Cypriot side and that any new negotiations can only begin as and when the Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereign equality and equal international status is recognized,” it said.

The statement reminded that the UN Secretary-General had openly stated that common ground did not exist for the resumption of talks and that he had launched efforts aimed at finding that common ground.

It pointed out that within the spirit of good will; the Turkish Cypriot side supported all forms of cooperation between the two sides and the development of good neighbourly relations.

“Contrary to the Turkish Cypriot side’s good will, the Greek Cypriot leadership continues to take unilateral actions on hydrocarbon exploration leading to the rising of tensions in the area,” it added.

The statement said that such actions will hurt efforts to building confidence and trust between the two sides, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s offer to discuss these issues at an international conference was still valid.

“The European Parliament’s attempts to reflect the Greek Cypriot side’s position on the matter have no validity for the Turkish Cypriot side. The TRNC and Türkiye will continue to defend its rights in the region, the presidential statement said.

On the issue of Maraş, the President’s Office reminded that the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) which was recognised as an effective domestic remedy by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) was currently accepting applications from Greek Cypriots who owned property in the fenced-off town.

“So far there have been 459 applications made. While this is the situation, the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anasasiades, through initiatives launched with the EU and other international actors, is preventing former Greek Cypriot residents from accessing their rights and properties in Maraş,” the statement said.

It repeated that Maraş is located within the TRNC’s territory and that the TRNC government exercised full authority on all matters pertaining to the fenced-off town.

“All the unacceptable expressions included in the report, apart from being a political statement, is a great insult to the Turkish Cypriot people. It must be known that our bond with the Republic of Türkiye will continue, growing stronger under all conditions. Any attempt to break this bond will be given the appropriate response,” the statement concluded.

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