Akıncı: “The choice of the Turkish Cypriot people regarding security should be respected”
20 January, 2017Ertuğruloğlu: “The negotiations in Geneva should be concluded”
23 January, 2017The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has stated that Turkey is continuing its “positive attitude to finalize the negotiations” on the Cyprus question.
Çavuşoğlu made the statement after travelling to Washington to attend the inauguration ceremony of Donald Trump, the new President of the USA. Çavuşoğlu commented on the Cyprus negotiations and the criticism of Greek Prime Minister Aleksis Çipras towards Turkey, saying “Greece should be the last country to criticize Turkey on the Cyprus issue. No country or institution has the right to criticize Turkey on this issue – Turkey does not deserve such criticism.”
Çavuşoğlu continued:
“We have reached a critical phase in the negotiations. Turkey has maintained her constructive approach at the first ministerial meeting. Turkey clearly expressed what she wants, what she does not want, and the reasons why. Likewise, the TRNC also showed a mature attitude on the sensitive issues under discussion at the talks but the other side came to the talks unprepared. First they wanted to give a break then they left the table. Despite these setbacks, Turkey continues to have a positive attitude towards finalizing the negotiations. Our stance on the security and guarantees is clear and we have also explained the reasons.”