“The decision of the Turkish Cypriot community to abstain from voting essentially implies a reluctance to voice their needs and desires”, remarked Dr. Kızılyürek, emphasising that the European Parliament is the primary platform where Turkish Cypriots can assert their presence within EU institutions.
Renominated by AKEL, Dr. Niyazi Kızılyürek stated, “Through active participation in the European Parliament elections and the election of their representative, Turkish Cypriots can effectively advocate for their interests. Thus, it is paramount for Turkish Cypriots to exercise their voting rights“.
Highlighting attempts to diminish the awareness of Turkish Cypriots’ EU citizenship, Dr. Kızılyürek pointed out, “There are efforts to suppress our identity as EU citizens. For instance, inspired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkish citizens in Germany have established the DAVA party, aiming to secure parliamentary representation. While Erdoğan himself expressed support, there are factions within our own country obstructing our electoral participation and inhibiting progress in EU-Turkish Cypriot relations, despite our EU citizenship. Such opposition is neither comprehensible nor acceptable“.
