The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister also in charge of Cyprus Affairs, Recep Akdağ, held bilateral meetings in the TRNC yesterday.
Within the scope of his TRNC visit, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Akdağ was first received by President Mustafa Akıncı. The meeting was held closed to press.
Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdağ was also received by Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman. In a statement afterwards, Akdağ addressed the events taking place in Palestine, saying, “The brutal attitude of Israel causes us grief”
Adding that the Turkish Cypriot people know very well the cruelty that is being experienced in Palestine, Akdağ emphasized Turkey’s support for the Turkish Cypriots. The importance of Turkey’s guarantee in Cyprus has become particularly clear in light of these recent incidents, Akdağ said, and continued, “It is our duty to protect your [the Turkish Cypriot people’s] security. We cannot separate our past, present and future.”
Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman for his part said that the events in Palestine deeply saddened the Turkish Cypriot people as well, and added that the developments were unacceptable.
“The developments in Palestine raise serious questions about the prospects for peace in the region, and the international reactions to Israel’s actions are not at the level that we desired. We hope similar responses will be shown to that of Turkey. This situation is also highly troubling with regards to world peace,” Erhürman said.
Deputy Prime Minister Akdağ also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay, and concluded his visit by attending the first fast-breaking dinner organized by the Cyprus Vakıflar Administration.
