Ankara calls for recognition of Turkish Cypriot rights

By Manolis Kostides

ISTANBUL – TURKEY'S FIRM STANCE ON CYPRUS: Turkish Vice President, Cevdet Yilmaz, made a bold statement regarding Turkey's position on Cyprus, warning that without Turkey's intervention, the island could face a situation akin to Gaza. Yilmaz emphasized the necessity of Turkey's presence for stability and advocated for a two-state solution. On another front, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted the importance of strengthening Turkey-EU relations.

During an Iftar dinner in Istanbul attended by Turkish Cypriots, Yilmaz underscored the deep historical ties between Turkey and the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,' dating back to 1571. He eloquently intertwined the Turkish Cypriot identity with pivotal historical events like the Battle of Manzikert and the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Discussing Turkey's initiatives, Yilmaz spoke of a "peaceful happiness operation" in 1974 and outlined plans for underwater cable connections with Cyprus to facilitate energy transmission. He extended an invitation to Greek Cypriots to partake in and benefit from these projects.

Reiterating Turkey's position, Yilmaz stressed the futility of repeating past methods that yielded no results, emphasizing the need to recognize the sovereign equality and international status of Turkish Cypriots.

Shifting gears to the local elections in Turkey, Istanbul mayoral candidate Murat Kurum, backed by President Erdogan, highlighted Cyprus as a national issue. He vowed to elevate Cyprus to prominence in the Eastern Mediterranean despite embargoes, making it a beacon of attraction.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan welcomed his Spanish counterpart, Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, in Ankara, emphasizing the need for comprehensive discussions on security issues between Turkey and the European Union, both bilaterally and within NATO. Fidan urged for a deeper understanding of regional and global security concerns to foster stronger cooperation.

[This article was translated from its Greek original]