FM Ertuğruloğlu Challenges Ambassadors' Remarks

In her interview to Politis, Salina Grenet Catalano used the phrase "A two-state solution is not a solution."

In response, Ertuğruloğlu stated, "Catalano's open support for the Greek Cypriot administration under the guise of 'solidarity' among European Union member states is the main reason why a fair and permanent solution has not been reached in the Cyprus issue."

Additionally, Ertuğruloğlu said, "We reject the threatening discourse of ambassadors serving in the South Cyprus administration, including the French Ambassador, and invite them to comment only on matters within their jurisdiction."

Ertuğruloğlu's full statement is as follows:

"France's Ambassador to South Cyprus, Catalano, exceeded her authority and used disrespectful expressions towards our people in her statement to the press regarding the Cyprus issue.

Everyone visiting or serving on the island knows very well that there are two separate peoples and two separate states that govern themselves. Catalano's open support for the Greek Cypriot administration under the guise of 'solidarity' among European Union member states is the main reason why a fair and permanent solution has not been reached in the Cyprus issue.

References to Security Council resolutions that have disappeared into history and lost their validity only perpetuate the uncompromising stance of the Greek Cypriot side, which refuses to share anything with the equal owner of the island, the Turkish Cypriot people, and perpetuates the continued isolation and embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people. References to these resolutions by one of the permanent member countries are a new reason and example for questioning the credibility of the United Nations Security Council.

In particular, the call for 'intra-island trade,' which prevents the future of the Turkish Cypriot people, who are prevented from meeting the world directly through direct trade, is a great injustice and disrespect to our people.

We reject the threatening discourse of ambassadors serving in the South Cyprus administration, including the French Ambassador, and invite them to comment only on matters within their jurisdiction."