Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has stated that Turkish Cypriot people are entitled to share the natural resources surrounding the island, and that Turkey will continue to protect the rights of Turkish Cypriot people.

Speaking to a TRT news correspondent in Kuwait, Çavuşoğlu stated that the Greek Cypriot side is “unwilling” to find a comprehensive settlement between both sides of the island.

Reiterating that the Turkish Cypriot people have equal rights to the hydrocarbon reserves around the island, Çavuşoğlu stated: “If you are unwilling to share those natural resources then we will protect the rights of the TRNC, Turkish Cypriot people, and Turkey”.

Çavuşoğlu also noted that Turkey seeks to maintain friendship and positive relations with Greece, stressing that this can be achieved through common understanding.