TR Amb to Lefkoşa Feyzioğlu “Fenced-off Maraş is TRNC territory”

Türkiye's Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu pointed to the importance of signifying the fact that the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) is the territory of the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). "Any world hesitation on this matter should be overcome," Feyzioğlu said. Delivering a special statement to BRT and TRT, Feyzioğlu said that the fenced-off town of Maraş was re-opened to pedestrian-crossing in a way that did not pose a threat to its main streets. He said the public was content with the idea, and it was well understood in the eyes of third countries. Stating that there may be an infrastructure problem in the region due to city of Maraş being closed for so many years, Ambassador Feyzioğlu noted that these problems will gradually be solved. Pointing out that the only issue that the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights can be involved in is the property issue, Feyzioğlu stated that the title deeds should be examined to resolve the property issue. Whilst referring to the property issue, Feyzioğlu said the TRNC will solve this issue under international law. Emphasizing that there is no sovereignty problem in the fenced-off town of Maraş, Feyzioğlu said, “the fenced-off town of Maraş is the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. There is only one issue that needs to be resolved in Maraş and that is the property issue,"

Erdoğan’s historic speech set an irreversible direction: Meanwhile, reminding of the historical speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the UN (United Nations) General Assembly, Metin Feyzioğlu said that President Erdoğan has irrevocably declared a state policy. ‘The TRNC should be recognized, ‘Erdoğan said. The insight of this is that there are two equal sovereign states on the island, Feyzioğlu said, “This means that there are two States on the Island based on sovereign equality and that both parties have equal international status. This also means that any negotiations to be held with third countries, guarantor countries, the UN or the South must take this into account,” he said. "This is a historic speech as it has set an irreversible direction," Feyzioğlu is cited as saying. Stating that some confuse being ‘Recognized’ and being a ‘State’, Feyzioğlu referred to the most fundamental credentials of international law on this issue that it does not seek recognition as a condition of being a State. “The conditions of being a state are clear. The TRNC has all of the conditions required to be a state. There is an element of a country, there is an element of a nation. There is an element of legitimate authority. Recognition is by no means an element of being a state” the Turkish Ambassador Metin Feyzioğlu said.