President Mustafa Akıncı has stated that the US Government’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, is not a common sense move, and one which ignores historical facts and represents a significant blow to peace efforts in the region.

President Akıncı was speaking at the Extraordinary Summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, entitled “Jerusalem”. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay accompanied President Akıncı at the summit.

Akıncı stressed that disregarding human life in this way and trying to reverse historical facts by using force would not make any country into a “great” or “super” power.

President Akıncı stated that the USA’s decision regarding Jerusalem despite widespread criticism and protest, and Israel’s use of live ammunition towards unarmed people, represented a new and shameful chapter in the history of humanity.

“I would like to reiterate the Turkish Cypriot people’s solidarity with the people of Palestine,” said President Mustafa Akıncı. He also expressed the need for international organisations and countries around the world to do their part to ensure peace in the Middle East, and to promote justice which protects the rights of the oppressed Palestinian people in the light of historical facts.