Yıldırım: “The Cyprus issue should be solved for the benefit of both Turkey and Greece”

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım visited Greece upon the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Çipras.

In a press conference following his meeting with Çipras, Yıldırım said that they discussed the issues regarding the EU, Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean and Agean. He stressed that the energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean are a common heritage of humanity, and that the rights of both sides on the island should be considered when using these resources.

Yıldırım also said that Greece and Turkey decided to “contribute in a positive way” to a Cyprus settlement.

“A solution to the Cyprus issue should guarantee the security and future of both the Turkish and Greek people living on the island,” he said.

Adding that the two countries and Britain will participate in peace talks along with the two Cypriot sides in Switzerland on 28 June, Yıldırım said that efforts should be made towards reaching a settlement in Cyprus within the framework of the UN resolutions and the EU acquisition.

Greek Prime Minister Çipras said, “We are continuing our efforts to take a further step in Geneva. We are working to reach a solution in Cyprus. We agreed on continuing our cooperation and achieving a solution”.

Ertuğruloğlu said, “The statements of both President Akıncı and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regarding the issue of territory are essential to us. The Turkish Cypriot people will never accept any settlement except for a partnership based on the political equality of both sides. We are seeking an agreement that guarantees that the 4 freedoms for the citizens of the Republic of Turkey will not be denied and that the island of Cyprus will never be a Greek island”.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that it is necessary to be well-prepared for the Cyprus conference on 28 June in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

Çavuşoğlu said, “We are always ready. We have already explained that the conference should be attended without preconditions. We also said that we will not accept the preconditions proposed by the Greek Cypriot side. We consider this conference as the final conference. The Turkish Cypriot side will attend the conference in Crans-Montana well-prepared and self-confident to defend their interests”.