Özgürgün: “A state policy for the EU, is one of the priorities of our government

Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün emphasized the need for a state policy for the EU, to objectively inform the Turkish Cypriot people about the EU, and to promote a new EU vision that guarantees the rights of the Turkish Cypriot. It is also a priority of the Government to develop the EU Communication Strategy with the participation of all stakeholders.

In his written statement, he also assessed the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU: “We welcome the people’s decision with respect. It has been taken by the British people, including thousands of our brothers and sisters who are citizens of the UK.”

Özgürgün added: “The referendum result has caused great disappointment here; the fundamental values of the EU have been challenged. The arguments of those who want to leave the EU saying: ‘the Turks are coming, let’s leave the EU’ are frightening, humiliating, alienating and racist.”

Prime Minister Özgürgün also stated that alongside its economic difficulties, the EU has been faced with rising Islamophobia, anti-immigration, and racist movements in recent years.

“Turkish Cypriot people consider that the European Union has been built to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and are greatly disappointed by this result.”