Akıncı: “The Turkish Cypriot people should continue to see their future in the EU”

Regarding the decision given by the UK to leave the EU, President Mustafa Akıncı stressed his belief that Turkish Cypriot people should continue to see their future in the European Union.

In a written statement, President Akıncı stated that despite the narrow majority in which it was reached, the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU is a democratic one. Pointing out that the decision would have a broad political, economic and social impact, Akıncı said he was confident that the EU and the UK would find a way to work together in order to minimize the negative effects in the forthcoming months.

President Akinci also said: “Cyprus has a past with the United Kingdom that goes back many years. Both North and South Cyprus will be affected by this decision. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus must work quickly and efficiently to see how this will affect us economically and how we can overcome this” adding that the referendum will likely lead to other members wanting to leave the EU.

President Akıncı said: “Undoubtedly the European Union is not perfect but for us, becoming an integral part of the EU, with social and institutional rights guaranteed, is important”. He concluded that: “the modern democratic norms of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are valid.”