Oktay: ‘We struggle for peace, prosperity and stability in our region’

‘The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is one of the most successful countries in the world in struggling with Covid-19’ Vice President of the Turkish Republic Fuat Oktay told a webinar organised by the TRNC Economic Organisations Platform.

Mentioning that Turkey has always tried and still tries to find a way to cooperate in crises created in the region and especially in the Eastern Mediterranean, Fuat Oktay stated that Turkey tries to solve conflicts with diplomacy and it is crystal clear that any initiative in the Eastern Mediterranean, which excludes Turkey, is bound to fail. Oktay added that the Oruç Reis research vessel is continuing its activities in an area within Turkey’s continental shelf. The hydrocarbon activities have been maintained in accordance with international law up to now and will continue with the same understanding.

“We always say that such provocative initiatives will not benefit anyone, they will never turn us away from our just struggle. Our struggle is to contribute to the establishment of the environment of peace, prosperity, and stability in our region. As a nation that puts fairness above everything else, we do not usurp the rights of anybody, and no one can usurp our rights. While the Greek Cypriot side seems to be working for the solution of the Cyprus issue in their comfort zone, they actually do not want to share anything. We do not leave them alone in this so-called comfort zone.”

Stating that the best example of this is the work Turkey has initiated in close coordination with the TRNC Government to revive the closed city of Maraş, Oktay said that the step they will take in this regard will show the whole world that the TRNC is not a prisoner of the status quo and will create serious development in the economic field.

Oktay added that they will continue to give the necessary responses within the framework of the law to the propaganda activities carried out by the Greek Cypriot Administration in order to mislead the international community on this issue.