Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the call to the UN General Assembly for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was an effort to lay the ground for its recognition stating that work will continue for this to be realized.
“The international community should recognize the TRNC to pave the way for a solution,” Erdogan said.
Referring to Turkiye’s proposal for the recognition of the TRNC, Erdoğan said that if the UN Security Council acts fairly then we will accelerate the process.
Responding to questions on a television program, President Erdoğan said that there was no explanation for the US lifting its arms embargo on South Cyprus, in terms of content or timing. Stating that America, which is ignoring and even encouraging the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo’s steps that threaten peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, Erdoğan said that this was paving the way for an arms race on the island. Therefore, we cannot just be bystanders on this issue, we are doing whatever is necessary for the TRNC and we will continue to do so, Erdoğan said.
Answering a question on whether there is a dispatchment of troops and weapons, Erdoğan said, “We have no problems on troops as we have around 40 thousand of our troops stationed there. Apart from that, we are currently taking steps regarding our weapons, ammunition, vehicles, equipment, etc., and other matters, both by land, air, and sea. Everyone should know very well that the latest step taken will not go unanswered and that every precaution will be taken for the safety of the Turkish Cypriot people.”
“I believe that we will receive a response from the UN General Assembly”
Responding to a question as to whether he has expectations following the call made to the UN General Assembly for the recognition of the TRNC soon, Erdoğan said that there were acquired rights of the Turkish Cypriot people confirmed with the 1959-60 agreements, for the registration of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people. The meaning of this is that the states of either side sit at the negotiating table under an equal status. We will succeed for this to be realized, the Turkish president said.
Pointing out that initially, the UN Security Council is responsible for ensuring the equality of both sides on the island. If the UN Security Council acts fairly then we will speed up the process, I believe that we will receive results from the UN General Assembly, Erdoğan said.
Stating that no action had been taken by the UN Security Council on this issue for the past one and a half years, Erdoğan complained that the council had not taken any steps to confirm the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people.
“If the UN Security Council cannot do this, then members of the United Nations should recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and confirm the vested rights of the Turkish Cypriots,” Erdoğan said.
Erdoğan reminded that he had called on the international community to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, during his address at the United Nations General Assembly.
This is a preliminary preparation, with the backing of all our institutions and organizations we will work for the international community to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Erdoğan said. I believe that from now on the international community should pave the way for a solution in Cyprus by recognizing the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, he said.
Stating that he had voiced this policy with justification to his interlocutors in New York, Erdoğan expressed the belief that his efforts will yield results.
