Bozkır: We feel sorrow from the expression of “Turkey is blackmailing”
18 March, 2016Tusk: “I am cautious rather than being optimistic”
18 March, 2016President Mustafa Akıncı said, “The way to a solution in Cyprus will pass through Lefkoşa, not through Brussels. Those who believe that Turkish Cypriots will be excluded in the solution process in Cyprus are dreaming. ”Emphasizing that the Greek Cypriot side’s intention to exclude the Turkish Cypriot side and address Turkey will never come true”, Akıncı said Turkey and Turkish Cypriot people will never approve it. “The solution will be reached and continued by Cypriots” Akıncı added.
In his written statement stating that TRNC always support Turkey’s “full membership” to the EU, Akıncı said that they also support the development of the relations with the EU in this context.
Akıncı continued as follows: “We are aware that as long as the Cyprus problem remains unresolved, Turkey’s membership will not be fully possible. Although there are many obstacles for Turkey’s full membership, the solution of the Cyprus problem will ease EU-Turkey relations to a certain degree. Brussels – Ankara and Athens are important centres that will contribute to the solution. It would be a mistake to think that the principles carefully protected by the TRNC and Turkey for years will be abounded for opening of chapters”.