Cevdet Yilmaz: We Have Never Left Turkish Cypriots Alone And Never Will

Speaking to journalists ahead of the Justice and Development Party parliamentary group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Yilmaz said: “We have never left Turkish Cypriots alone and we never will. As the motherland and guarantor, we are taking the necessary steps by considering the developments in our region.”

Responding to questions about tensions in the Middle East following attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, and about the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Yilmaz said significant arms deployments had recently been made on the Greek Cypriot side.

He argued that such steps had made the island more risky and said that the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation had provided security not only for Turkish Cypriots but for the entire island.

“For more than 50 years, both Turks and Greek Cypriots have been living in a secure and peaceful environment, developing and strengthening their democracy,” Yilmaz said, adding that this stability had been ensured by the Turkish Armed Forces and the Peace Operation.

He stressed that Turkey does not want this stability to be disrupted and that Ankara seeks a more peaceful future for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

“Of course, this must be based on sovereign equality,” Yilmaz said. “We have never left Turkish Cypriots alone and we never will. As the motherland and guarantor, we are taking the necessary steps in light of developments in our region.”

He added that Turkey would continue to take whatever steps are needed, stressing that all measures are aimed at ensuring the security of everyone on the island.