Akıncı condemns vote to celebrate Enosis referendum
President Mustafa Akıncı has condemned the decision taken by the Greek Cypriot Parliament to mark the 1950 Enosis referendum in schools. He stated, “Even though the decision was taken with 19 votes, it is a serious blow to the solution process in Cyprus.”
President Akıncı also asked Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades to oppose this decision.
In a written statement, Akıncı noted that the final phase has been reached on the negotiation process and a five-party conference has been planned for the second time at political level, and it would not be possible to accept such a decision taken by the Greek Cypriot Parliament which keeps the ‘Enosis’ on the agenda.
Akıncı emphasised that the decision gave a very dangerous message to the Greek Cypriot youth and increases the existing insecurity of the Turkish Cypriot people. Although the suggestion for this decision came from the ELAM party, DISI also gave approval to the decision. Akıncı noted that only AKEL rejected and DISI abstained at the general assembly.
Özgürgün: “The decision of the Greek Cypriot Parliament is the most severe blow to the negotiation process”
Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün stated that the decision of the Greek Cypriot Parliament to introduce the celebration of Enosis in schools is the most severe blow to the negotiation process.
Turkish Cypriot politicians will evaluate this decision at the Assembly today and attempt to make a joint decision to give the necessary response.
In his written statement regarding the issue, Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün stated that the decision of the Greek Cypriot Parliament showed once again that the Greek Cypriots and Greece have never supported a federal solution, based on the equality of both societies, in any part of the negotiations since 1968.
Özgürgün also noted that the decision regarding the celebration of the Enosis Day in schools, which is the product of the far-right ELAM movement, is the clearest evidence of the Greek Cypriot side’s desire to own the whole island.
Yıldırım: “Turkey always follows a constructive attitude to reach a positive outcome for peace talks in Cyprus”
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım stated that Turkey always follows a constructive attitude to reach a positive outcome for peace talks in Cyprus.
Speaking at a joint press conference after meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım reiterated that security and guarantees are essential issues for Turkey.
Yıldırım also said: “The sensitive point here is to guarantee the future of the Turkish Cypriot people and not to experience unpleasant incidents again. The new administration to be established should be fair, equal and represent both sides in Cyprus. These are our sine qua non”.
Yıldırım added that Turkey has always followed a constructive attitude in order to reach a positive result in Cyprus and will continue the same attitude in the future.
Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik: “Turkish troops will remain present in Cyprus”
Turkey’s Minister of European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik has said that the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus is not a controversial issue.
Çelik, who gave interviews to the French press during his visit to Paris, gave his analysis to Le Monde newspaper and the television channel, France 24.
Çelik also mentioned the Cyprus negotiations, noting that peace in Cyprus will be maintained with the presence of Turkish troops.. He said that while the number of soldiers is up for discussion, their presence on the island is not.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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