Prime Minister Üstel: “We will never allow historically distorting statements.”

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has strongly condemned recent statements made by the Greek Cypriot Minister of Foreign in which Türkiye was described as an “occupying power.” Prime Minister Üstel characterized these remarks as a distortion of historical facts, a disregard for international law, and a political provocation.

He emphasized that Türkiye’s presence on the island is based on its rights and obligations under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, which aims to ensure the security, existence, and political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people. Üstel stressed that this role constitutes legitimate guarantorship, not occupation.

Üstel further noted that the allegations ignore the violence, forced exclusion, and humanitarian suffering experienced by Turkish Cypriots between 1963 and 1974. He underlined that attempts to rewrite history neither gain international credibility nor undermine the will of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Reaffirming his position, Üstel stated that a two-state solution remains the only realistic and sustainable model based on the current realities on the island. He added that rhetoric targeting Türkiye while insisting on failed federal models contributes to deadlock rather than resolution.

Concluding his remarks, Üstel called for a respectful and sincere approach that acknowledges the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people, affirming that the TRNC government will continue to defend its rights and sovereignty in full cooperation with Türkiye.