Oktay: “We will not tolerate the Greek Cypriot side’s actions aimed at ignoring the Turkish Cypriots”

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay stated that Turkey will not turn a blind eye to the Greek Cypriot side’s actions, who suppose that they are the sole owner of the island, aimed at ignoring the Turkish Cypriot people.

He said that they will continue to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking at a ceremony where service medals were awarded to veterans who served in the 1974 Peace Operation in Cyprus, Oktay praised the sacrifices of the veterans who fought for the freedom and safety of the Turkish Cypriot people.

He said that their goal was to guarantee the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots and to guarantee their legitimate rights, their security, and their welfare.

“All our efforts to this day have been unsuccessful due to the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigent stance. The fact that Turkish Cypriots are subjected to embargoes and restrictions in many areas forces the boundaries of logic and consciousness. The time has come to put aside approaches which are open-ended and which ignore the realities on the island.” Oktay said, adding that efforts to prevent the development of the Turkish Cypriot people and maintain the status quo were not sustainable.

With regard to hydrocarbons discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean, Oktay said that the discovery of new reserves had made Cyprus a centre of attention in the international arena.

Oktay said that the energy resources in the region should be used as an opportunity for the success and wealth of the region.