Akdağ: “The negotiation process which began in 2008 has now come to an end”

On Wednesday, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdağ gave a speech in honour of the 34^th anniversary of the establishment of the TRNC. The address was given during a ceremony held at Dr. Fazıl Küçük Boulevard where Deputy Prime Minister Akdağ stated that Turkish Cypriots had made significant sacrifices over the years but had never compromised their honour or sense of equality and justice, despite the difficulties and obstacles they had faced. Akdağ also added that the establishment of the TRNC is a guarantee of peace and coexistence for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

Akdağ stated that the negotiation process, which began in 2008, has come to an end and that Turkey would continue to protect its own legitimate rights and the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side had always supported proposals offered by the UN to re-establish the collapsed partnership with the Greek Cypriot side, explaining that the Crans-Montana summit had ended without reaching a solution due to the uncompromising attitudes of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side. Akdağ also said that the ending of the negotiation process illustrated once again that Greek Cypriots have no intention of sharing their administration of the island with Turkish Cypriots, “The Greek Cypriot side, which is supported by the European Union, should stop acting like a spoiled child,” said Akdağ.

Stating that the ties between Turkey and the TRNC would only grow in strength, Akdağ reminded the audience that Turkey is one of the guarantor countries of the island and that this must be acknowledged by the Greek Cypriot side.

“There are two communities in Cyprus, and every step taken must be taken with this fact in mind. We must never allow the island to be owned by the Greek Cypriots.”

On the topic of hydrocarbon reserves in South Cyprus, Akdağ called for international companies to act discreetly, stating “I want to reiterate that we will continue to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people in the Eastern Mediterranean.”