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Prime Minister Ünal Üstel strongly condemned the recent rhetoric and actions in the Greek Cypriot Administration, stating that they reflect a persistent and even escalating hostile attitude toward the Turkish Cypriot people.
Stating that demands presented under the guise of “confidence-building measures” entirely undermine intercommunal trust, Üstel said, “These steps serve conflict rather than peace, and hostility rather than friendship. The Turkish Cypriot people have always shown respect for the religious values, flag, and sanctities of the Greek Cypriot people. Our people expect the same level of respect from the Greek Cypriot side.”
Prime Minister Üstel issued a written statement regarding the removal of the flag on the Beşparmak Mountains and the renaming of Kemal Atatürk Avenue in Paphos. In his statement, Üstel stated:
“Calls made in the Greek Cypriot press; specifically in the Fileleftheros newspaper, known for its proximity to and staunch support for Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides; for the removal of our glorious flag on the Beşparmak Mountains under the pretext of ‘confidence-building measures’ are impertinent and unacceptable.
Any demand for the removal of our flag, which symbolizes the Turkish Cypriot people’s will for independence, is entirely unacceptable to us and holds no legitimacy.
Furthermore, it is another manifestation of a hostile attitude that the Greek Cypriot side, while making so-called calls for ‘peace’ and ‘goodwill’ attempts to change the names of avenues bearing the name of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the founder of the Republic of Türkiye and the leader in whose footsteps the Turkish Cypriot people are proud to follow.
The decision to change the name of Kemal Atatürk Avenue in Paphos clearly reveals the true face of the prevailing mentality on the Greek Cypriot side.”
Üstel reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to uphold their values, flag, state, and strong ties with the Motherland Türkiye as they have in the past.