Turkish side has no intention to retreat from two-state solution: Erdoğan
ANKARA
Turkey and Turkish Cyprus have no intention to take steps backward from their proposal of a two-state solution on Cyprus, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on July 19 while visiting Turkish Cyprus to mark the anniversary of Turkey’s 1974 intervention.
“It is no longer possible for us to believe in them and to lose another 50 years,” Erdoğan said on July 19 while speaking at the Turkish Cypriot parliament during a two-day visit.
He emphasized that a sustainable solution on the island is only possible by accepting the realities of the island. Erdoğan pointed at the fact that there are already two separate states, two separate communities on Cyprus Island. “We fully support the proposal presented by [Turkish Cypriot President] Ersin Tatar in Geneva. We do not intend to compromise,” he stated.
Announcing his “good news” promised during a statement ahead of his trip to the island, Erdoğan said they would construct a new presidency building for Turkish Cyprus.
Turkish Cyprus did not have a proper building for the presidency and parliament. Erdoğan said, noting that the project for the building was ready and that the construction work will soon start. They will also build a “nation’s park” in Metehan district, Erdoğan added.
Erdoğan underlined that the Greek Cypriots have never seen the Turks on the island as their equal partners for a possible unification solution.
“Greeks have never seen the Turkish Cypriots as equals,” he said, adding that all the topics were discussed throughout several negotiation rounds and that there was no need to talk about them again. “There is nothing left to be discussed in these negotiations,” he stated.
“We have seen from previous experiences that you have no intention of establishing partnerships,” Erdoğan said while calling on Greek Cyprus.
The president stressed that Turkey and Turkish Cyprus have a brotherhood that would not be harmed by foreign powers.
“We proclaim your eternal brotherhood to the whole world, whether they want it or not,” he said.
The president reacted against the statement by the Greek side that Turkey was an “invader.” “We know very well who on the island represents the invader and who represents the occupying understanding,” he said.
Erdoğan recalled that Greek Cyprus never wanted to share the power with Turks on the island and that their latest attempts of ignoring the rights of Turkish Cyprus for hydrocarbon reserves off Cyprus were another display of this understanding.
He emphasized that there were even circles among the Turkish Cypriots that want to “collapse the Turkish Cypriot cause.”
“The moves made to bring down the Turkish Cypriot cause from within were again rendered futile by the foresight of the Turkish Cypriot people. We will not allow certain circles targeting our unity and solidarity to steal our ferment of brotherhood,” Erdoğan stated.
“We need to break this game by acting with a sense of responsibility,” he added.
