Statement of the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Regarding the references made by the European Commission

The references made by the European Commission in a letter concerning the lifting of the unjust isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot side bear no relation to the realities on the Island and, once again, demonstrate that the EU will not change its partial and insincere stance on Cyprus under any circumstances.

The Turkish Cypriot people have been subjected for years to live under inhumane isolation and embargoes, in violation of international law and human rights. These restrictions deprive Turkish Cypriot people of their most fundamental human rights, in every field, from education and sport to culture and economic life.

The attitude displayed by the EU is a clear indication of its desire to preserve the status quo on the Island and of its institutional structure, which has surrendered to the vetoes of the Greek Cypriot side. The afore mentioned letter stanced as the clearest proof that the EU will take no positive steps for the Turkish Cypriot people in the future either. There is a clear reality: the people of the TRNC continue to be held under inhumane isolation before the eyes of the EU and the international public.

The Commission’s claim of “building bridges” and “enhancing dialogue”, made with reference to the 2004 Council decisions on ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, amounts to nothing more than attempts to mislead. The European Union has taken no concrete steps towards removing the unjust restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and the inhumane obstructions imposed by the Greek Cypriot side, and has demonstrated no sincerity, willingness or vision. By providing its support to the Greek Cypriot leadership, which obstructs even the connection of our youth and athletes with the world, the EU stands as the foremost defender of the status quo on the Island.

It is impossible for us to take seriously either the European Union, which disregards the will,  sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people and distorts the realities on the Island through biased reports, letters and statements, or its so-called representative, Fitto.

As the TRNC, we shall not accept these delaying tactics and approaches designed to buy time and overshadow the existing injustice on the Island. There is only one truth that the international community must understand: unless the outdated embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people are lifted as a whole and our sovereign equality and equal international status are formally recognized and affirmed the EU’s declarations of “good will” are, in our view, null and void.

Furthermore, it is equally incomprehensible that a misleading impression is being conveyed to the press and the public that positive developments are taking place within the EU regarding the issue of isolation. Far from lifting the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, the EU demonstrate no willingness to take even a single step towards easing it.

Despite all attempts to impose embargoes and obstruct progress, the Turkish Cypriot people and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, under their own state framework and with the strong support of their Motherland, the Republic of Türkiye, will persistently continue their just struggle and defend their rights on the basis of sovereign equality.