Üstel to Krah: “Help End the Unjust Isolation of Turkish Cypriots”

Üstel received Krah, who is visiting the TRNC at the invitation of the Republic’s Assembly, at the Prime Ministry.

Labour and Social Security Minister Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu and MP Hasan Taçoy also attended the meeting.

Üstel: “It Is Important to See the Reality on the Ground”

Speaking during the meeting, Üstel said it was important for Krah to visit the TRNC and see firsthand the realities experienced by Turkish Cypriots.

He said Turkish Cypriots had fought for their existence and freedom at great cost for many years and had continued to demonstrate their commitment to a settlement and reconciliation despite what he described as unjust embargoes and isolation since 1974.

“The Turkish Cypriot side has always done its part for a settlement. However, no result has been achieved for years due to the Greek Cypriot side’s uncompromising stance and its approach of disregarding the Turkish Cypriot people,” Üstel said.

He argued that there was no longer any point in renegotiating exhausted models and said a settlement in Cyprus could only be achieved through recognition of the Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereign equality and equal international status, based on cooperation between the two states.

Üstel also criticised the European Union for failing to adopt what he described as a neutral and fair approach to the Cyprus issue, saying the continued isolation of Turkish Cypriots was unacceptable.

“Our expectation is very clear: Listen to the Turkish Cypriot people, see the reality on the ground and lend your voice to ours so that the unjust isolation imposed on us can come to an end,” Üstel said.

He thanked Krah for his visit and said he was pleased to welcome him to the TRNC.

Krah: “It Is Wrong to Listen to Only One Side”

Krah said it was wrong to listen to only one side of the Cyprus issue.

He said he was aware of the positive steps taken by Turkish Cypriots towards a settlement in the past, as well as the historical dimension of their experiences.

Krah also said people should visit the north and see the realities there for themselves.