Prime Minister Özgürgün: “I do not see any benefit in continuing negotiations, due to the mentality of the Greek Cypriots”
Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün has said that he does not see any benefit in continuing the Cyprus negotiations, due to the mentality of the Greek Cypriots.
Responding to questions on Diyalog TV, Prime Minister Özgürgün stated that President Akıncı’s reaction towards the Greek Cypriot Parliament’s Enosis decision was right, but that his overall stance is just as important as the reaction given.
Özgürgün said “the Turkish Cypriot people are equal inhabitants of this island. We are as well-informed, experienced and wise as the Greek Cypriots on matters of state. Why should I tolerate the Greek Cypriot side’s selfish stance?”
Pointing out that the Greek Cypriots have perceived Turkish Cypriots as a minority over the course of the island’s history, Özgürgün said that they were faced with a mentality which desires unification of the island with Greece.
Emphasising that the Turkish Cypriots have always objected to Enosis, and struggle not to be treated as a minority society, Prime Minister Özgürgün said “At this point, the continuation of negotiations on logical grounds is not possible.”
Referring to the Greek Cypriot Parliament’s Enosis decision, Özgürgün said, “The decision was taken with the intention of reuniting the island with Greece; why should we continue to sit at the negotiation table with those with such an outlook.