Özgürgün: “Turkey’s full and effective guarantee is necessary”
8 February, 2017Siber: “An agreement should eliminate concerns about security and guarantees”
9 February, 2017Turkish Presidential Deputy Secretary General and Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın said, “We have already taken the necessary steps on the Cyprus issue.”
Kalın was responding to questions during a live broadcast on NTV. Answering a question on the negotiations, Kalın said that the Cyprus issue is not linked to the referendum process in Turkey, and added that the necessary steps have already been taken.
Stressing that they are in a constructive position in this process, Kalın said, “The presence of the Turkish troops on the island is never a threat against the Greek Cypriot side. Turkish troops are there in order to prevent potential threats and dangers that may arise on the island. The continuation of this presence is very important, especially to provide consistency and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. Negotiations have been held in Geneva and some improvements have been made, but there are still issues that need to be discussed.”