Ustel Condemns EU's Kallas

In a statement issued by the Prime Ministry, Ustel rejected Kallas' comments on the natural gas pipeline agreement between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

"We reject and deeply regret the statement made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas regarding the natural gas pipeline memorandum signed between the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," Ustel said.

He argued that the European Union has long lost its neutrality on the Cyprus issue and has become "a political actor that merely repeats the positions of the Greek Cypriot side."

"For that reason, none of the EU's political messages concerning the legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriot people carry any weight for us," he added.

'Neither The Greek Cypriot Administration Nor Europe Can Stop This Project'

Ustel recalled that the TRNC and Turkey signed a protocol two years ago on an electricity interconnection project, adding that although the feasibility studies had been completed, the project had become stalled during the approval process of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) due to initiatives by the Greek Cypriot administration.

"These kinds of attempts will achieve nothing," he said.

He stated that the natural gas pipeline project would be implemented under the instructions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, coordinated by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and with the efforts of Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.

"Neither the Greek Cypriot administration nor Europe can stop us," Ustel said.

Referring to Kallas' statement that the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus should be respected, Ustel said the remarks ignored "the inherent sovereign rights and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people."

He argued that the EU's role should not be to echo the Greek Cypriot side's political positions but to recognise "the realities on the island and the equal rights of both peoples."

Ustel maintained that agreements between the TRNC and Turkey on energy, infrastructure and economic cooperation are "an expression of the Turkish Cypriot people's sovereign authority" and do not require the approval of the European Union or any other party.

Calls On Greek Cypriot Side To Cooperate

Describing the natural gas pipeline memorandum as "a legitimate infrastructure project aimed entirely at strengthening the energy security, economic development and future of the Turkish Cypriot people," Ustel said the project is not directed against any country.

"On the contrary, it is a strategic step that will strengthen stability, energy security and regional prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean," he said.

Repeating previous calls for cooperation, Ustel urged the Greek Cypriot side to treat energy as an opportunity for regional cooperation rather than political confrontation.

He accused the Greek Cypriot administration of consistently choosing confrontation over compromise and attempting to use EU institutions to obstruct the development of the Turkish Cypriot people.

"If the European Union truly wants peace and stability in the region, it must stop acting as the spokesperson for one side and learn to recognise the existence, will and inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people," Ustel said.

He concluded by saying that joint projects with Turkey in the fields of energy, water, transport and infrastructure would continue, adding that the natural gas pipeline project is an important part of that vision and "no political pressure or threat will stop it."