Nikos Stelgias
The Vice President of Turkey spoke yesterday in occupied Nicosia about the course of the Cyprus Issue and the developments in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Cyprus. Fuat Oktay, who was visiting the occupied territories, made a speech during the ‘celebrations’ lauding the establishment of the internationally non-recognized ‘TRNC’.
Mr. Oktay mainly addressed the nationalist segments of the Turkish public opinion and Turkish Cypriot Right and focused on two issues. The Turkish Vice President reiterated his government’s support for the two-state solution. Simultaneously, Oktay took a threatening tone about the fresh developments in the Cyprus EEZ.
"The Turkish side will not succumb to any pressure wherever it comes from. The proof of this (determination) is in the state (TRNC) that has been around for 38 years,” declared Mr. Oktay.
The two-state solution
Referring to the course of the Cyprus Problem, the Vice President of Turkey stated that his country continues to show goodwill for a solution that is mutually acceptable. “We repeat it once again. We want a fair, permanent and sustainable solution on the island,” Mr. Oktay stated.
Mr. Oktay provided also, support for the alternative solution framework presented by the Turkish Cypriot leader at the informal conference in Geneva. “The two-state solution is not a position (strategy) of negotiation. The Turkish side will not succumb to any pressure wherever it comes from. The proof of this (determination) is in the state (TRNC) that has been around for 38 years,” declared Mr. Oktay.
The Turkish Vice President also added “we will continue to explain to the international community, (the fact that) the key to the solution (is the) sovereign equality and our proposal for guaranteeing an equal international regime. The two-state solution is a path that requires patience.”
Addressing Erdogan’s nationalist allies
The claim that in 1983, the ‘TRNC’ was created with the support of all portions of the Turkish Cypriot community was put forward by the Vice President of Turkey, in his speech today in occupied Nicosia.
Mr. Oktay referred to the so-called sovereignty of Turkish Cypriots and adorned his position with nationalist messages that are addressed to both the Turkish Cypriot Right and the nationalist allies of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government in the occupied territories and Turkey.
Threatening tone on the EEZ Issue
In his statement, Mr. Oktay also referred to the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. Oktay expressed his opposition to the new drilling launched by the Republic of Cyprus in the region.
In a threatening tone, Turkey’s Vice President stated that: “Don’t worry. We will not leave you alone. We will continue our drilling from the point where we interrupted them at the same speed. We are unafraid of anyone. Those who seek adventure in the Eastern Mediterranean will find it. We will continue to defend in practice the rights and interests of Turkey and the TRNC.”
