TRNC News 3.10.2016 Ozgurgun "...not allow Turkey's guarantee to be discussed in negotiations"

Özgürgün: “We would not allow Turkey’s guarantee to be discussed in the negotiations”

Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün has stated that they would never allow Turkey’s guarantee to be a subject of discussion in the Cyprus negotiations.

Özgürgün has spoken to TRT News after he attended the opening ceremony of the second legislative year of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey’s 26th term.

The Turkish Cypriot people will never give up the full and effective guarantee of their motherland Turkey, Özgürgün stated. Public surveys indicate that 90% of people support this policy and Özgürgün believes that the Greek Cypriot side should be aware of this reality.

Both sides in Cyprus need a solution, Özgürgün said, but Turkey’s guarantee is sine qua non.

“Bi-zonality should continue.” Özgürgün stated. “The Turkish Cypriot people are equal to the Greek Cypriots. If the Greek Cypriot side accepts this, a solution can be found immediately.”

“The Greek Cypriot side certainly does not acknowledge this – that is why the Cyprus talks have continued for 48 years.”

Valanidu: “The education system in South Cyprus does not help to facilitate peace”

Dr. Hristina Valanidu gave an interview to the newspaper Yenidüzen regarding the education system in South Cyprus.

Valanidu, a Greek Cypriot, stated that the essence of education in South Cyprus has not changed since 1812. The “hidden curriculum” at schools does not generally help to facilitate peace and understanding, she stated.

“We can see from certain students’ behaviour that they cannot accept ‘others’. For instance, they believe that the Greek nationality is ‘the best nationality’. This hidden curriculum explains that Cyprus is a Greek island and only people of Greek origin have rights here.”

Valanidu added that the curriculum also teaches that the only victim in the history of Cyprus was the Greek Cypriots.

“The historical narrative that is taught in schools is one-sided and emphasises nationalism and chauvinism.”