Üstel: You Cannot Cut Turkish Cypriots Off From the World

Üstel said the Turkish Cypriot side would not give up its rights, sovereignty or statehood, and accused the Greek Cypriot administration of pursuing a policy of pressure and obstruction.

He said pressure over an international music event planned in Kyrenia, attempts to prevent Presidential Undersecretary Mehmet Dana from meeting foreign diplomatic representatives, claims and threats concerning Varosha, Famagusta and Kyrenia, and political pressure surrounding the Immovable Property Commission were evidence that the Greek Cypriot administration’s approach had not changed.

“Dialogue on One Side, Pressure on the Other”

Üstel said the Greek Cypriot administration spoke of federalism, reunification and confidence-building measures while simultaneously seeking to prevent Turkish Cypriots from maintaining international contacts and participating in international events.

“This does not create confidence; it destroys confidence,” Üstel said, arguing that attempts to block an international cultural and music event through political pressure and prevent contacts with foreign diplomats were inconsistent with calls for peace and a settlement.

“You Cannot Prevent Turkish Cypriots From Engaging With the World”

Üstel said no one could dictate whom Turkish Cypriots could meet, which foreign representatives they could engage with or which international events they could organise in their own country.

“We, too, have the right, like all peoples of the world, to establish relations with the world and explain ourselves,” he said.

He added that Turkish Cypriots would continue to defend their state, rights and sovereignty and would not accept isolation.

“You Cannot Interfere in TRNC Institutions”

Referring to the Immovable Property Commission, Üstel said the mechanism had been established by the Turkish Cypriot side with international approval and operated through its own institutions.

He accused the Greek Cypriot administration of seeking to weaken the commission through political pressure and said the Greek Cypriot side could not determine how TRNC institutions should operate.

Üstel also warned against turning the property issue into a political tool to economically pressure Turkish Cypriots, undermine the TRNC in the eyes of investors and obstruct its development.

“The Turkish Cypriot People Will Determine Their Own Future”

Üstel said the Turkish Cypriot side was in favour of dialogue and cooperation but argued that dialogue could not mean pressure, cooperation could not mean isolation, and a settlement could not require Turkish Cypriots to surrender their rights, sovereignty or statehood.

“If the Greek Cypriot administration genuinely wants a new era, it must first abandon its policy of pressure, threats and obstruction against the Turkish Cypriot people,” Üstel said.

“You cannot build a partnership by cutting us off from the world,” he added.