Prime Minister Üstel criticises statements of Archbishop Yeorgios

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel stated that the remarks made by the Greek Orthodox Church’s Archbishop Yeorgios were incompatible with the historical realities on the island.

According to a written statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Üstel commented on the political statement issued by Greek Orthodox Archbishop Yeorgios on the Cyprus issue on the occasion of Christmas.

Stressing that the political statements issued by Archbishop Yeorgios on the Cyprus issue neither aligned with the historical realities of the island nor with the will for a settlement, Prime Minister Üstel said that what is expected from a religious authority is a call for peace, tolerance, and reconciliation. He said it was unacceptable for such an authority to adopt a one-sided and hostile tone that ignores the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Üstel also stated that the Archbishop’s condemnation of various solution models, including a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, using extremely provocative expressions such as “national euthanasia,” was a clear indication of the Greek Cypriot side’s long-standing uncompromising and maximalist mindset.