Vice President of the Republic of Turkey Fuat Oktay stated that Turkey will continue to provide close interest and support to the TRNC.

In his speech at the ceremony for the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the TRNC, Oktay said: “The Turkish Cypriot people who survived many challenges in the struggle for rights and equality and endured many difficulties, are a source of pride for Turkey.

Oktay continued:

“In this period of more than half a century, the Turkish Cypriot people have favoured solution and reconciliation from the beginning and have always had a constructive approach in order to re-establish the partnership which was overturned by the Greek Cypriots by adopting the negotiation process in good faith and determination.

The reason why the island has not reached a solution today is, unfortunately, the uncompromising attitude of the Greek Cypriot side. The Cyprus conference failed in July 2017 because of this attitude of the Greek Cypriot side. Since then, the Greek Cypriots have clearly shown that they have no intention of establishing a partnership and sharing political power on the basis of political equality with the Turkish Cypriots. The state you established is one of the founding and equal parts of the island. The Greek Cypriot side’s efforts to dilute this reality have not been allowed up until today, and will not be allowed even after today.

Oktay stated that their aim is to ensure the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots and to guarantee their legitimate rights, security, and welfare on the island.”