Öztürkler: “If the status of Crimea can be debated, legitimacy and recognition of the TRNC must also be reconsidered”

The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler commented on U.S. President Donal Trump’s remarks about Crimea.

Speaking at a reception, Öztürkler described U.S. President Trump’s remarks, which implied that Crimea belongs to Russia, as an important argument that should be assessed from the TRNC’s perspective.

Öztürkler stated that Trump’s remarks present an opportunity for the international community to reflect on itself, and added, “If the status of Crimea can be debated, then the legitimacy and recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) must also be re-evaluated.”

Öztürkler stated that Trump’s remarks revealed the depth of inconsistent approaches in international law, emphasizing that the principle of “equality against double standards” must be upheld.

Öztürkler stressed that the Greek Cypriot side’s reaction to this statement indirectly acknowledges that the TRNC has a just and legitimate basis under international law.

Furthermore, Öztürkler stated that the Greek Cypriot side’s claim of being the “sole legitimate government” contradicts the principle of equality of peoples and said that this approach is blocking the resolution process.