Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu gave an interview on Cyprus negotiations to Al Jazeera Turk broadcasting in Turkey and the Economist which is broadcasting in Brussels.
Answering the questions of Ece Göksedef from Al Jazeera and Tom Nuttal from the Economist regarding the Cyprus Summit in Geneva, Minister Ertuğruloğlu gave information about the Cyprus negotiation process, Cyprus problem, and the views and expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot people is a peace-loving community who want to reach a political solution in Cyprus, however they will never give up their sovereignty, rights and the guarantee of Turkey.
Stating that the Cyprus negotiation process continues and some maps have emerged, Ertuğruloğlu said that the Turkish Cypriot side is definitely against the return of any territory such as Güzelyurt or Karpaz.
Emphasizing that they are opposed to such a perception that the territory issue is a matter related with “How much land the Turkish Cypriot side will give”, Ertuğruloğlu pointed out that this subject should be seen as a territorial adjustment because there will be some places to be taken as well as places to be given.
Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu stated that what they experienced in Geneva is not a surprise to himself because the attitude of the Greek Cypriot side and Greece showed once more who does not want a solution in Cyprus.
Emphasizing that the continuation of Turkey’s guarantee is essential for the Turkish Cypriot people, Ertuğruloğlu stated that they did not agree with the argument that “the countries in the European Union do not need guarantor(s)” and that they did not confirm EU membership of the Greek Cypriot side, that is why international participants should realise the concerns of the Turkish Cypriot people and the realities in Cyprus in order to find a solution in Cyprus.
Ertuğruloğlu also stressed that return of Güzelyurt and Karpaz is out of the question.
Source: TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Pictures shown are courtesy of the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs
