Birinci: It Is Wrong to View Foreign Relations as Merely Having Coffee

Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Nicosia parliamentary candidate Deniz Birinci appeared as a guest on Sabahın Haberleri (Morning News), a programme broadcast on Kıbrıs Postası TV and prepared and hosted by Canan Onurer.

Noting that resolving the Cyprus problem was also crucial to implementing policies that prioritise the welfare state, Birinci said structural reforms were needed alongside solutions to problems in the economy, education and healthcare.

Stating that the Cyprus problem was the root of all other problems, Birinci said they believed these issues could be resolved not only through financial assistance but also through structural reforms. Pointing to the importance of resolving the Cyprus problem to ensure the sustainability of the welfare state, Birinci said the greatest reform would be to resolve the issue itself.

Commenting on statements that Social Insurance pensioners would receive a payment of 40,000 TL, Birinci said she did not believe the payment would materialise, arguing that such announcements had remained mere promises. She added that time would tell whether the payment would actually be made.

Addressing the importance of international relations in the Cyprus problem, Birinci noted that UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s term was coming to an end and that the identity of his successor would be significant.

Birinci said there were seven candidates for the secretary-general position, five of whom were women, and that a woman was considered likely to be appointed as the next secretary-general. She added that geographical distribution was also an important factor in the selection process, noting that Latin America was currently emerging as a prominent region.

Stating that the name of Colombian diplomat María Ángela Holguín had also begun to come up in this context, Birinci said Holguín was actively campaigning and that she considered her chances of being appointed secretary-general to be high.

Birinci stressed the importance of appointing someone who would take into account and protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Emphasising the importance TDP attached to foreign relations, Birinci said international contacts could have a direct impact on resolving the Cyprus problem.

Stating that it was wrong to regard foreign relations merely as courtesy visits and social engagements, Birinci said her party maintained direct contact with diplomatic missions.

Arguing that TDP was one of the few platforms capable of making the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people heard around the world, Birinci said the party’s role in international relations was of great importance for the future of society.

Birinci said TDP would establish a strong lobbying centre to work towards resolving the Cyprus problem, adding that these efforts would target both foreign circles and the two leaders on the island.

Stating that they would support President Tufan Erhürman’s efforts to achieve a solution, Birinci said they would not hesitate to take action when they believed something was wrong.

Birinci stressed that TDP would maintain a determined stance on resolving the Cyprus problem and continue its work in international relations for the future of society.