The TRNC on Sunday slammed an EU summit declaration, saying the bloc “cannot be fair and impartial” on the Cyprus issue, reported local media.
“The EU countries have shown once again with the decision they took that they cannot be fair and impartial on the Cyprus issue, and Turkish Cypriots should trust them neither with their security nor the protection of their rights,” Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar has said, Turkish Agency Cyprus (TAK) reported.
The joint declaration from 14 June South EU summit in Malta including France, Italy, Spain, Malta, Portugal, Greece, and the Greek Cypriot administration reflects the national positions of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, which do not comply with UN principles on solving the Cyprus issue or the rules of international law, said a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.
Prime Minister Tatar said the declaration’s statement on Cyprus took sides with its Greek residents and that those who took the decision do not want reconciliation on the island.
On Greek Cyprus gaining EU membership in 2004 despite its violations of Turkish Cypriots’ rights, Tatar said EU decisions, intended to hand over Turkish Cypriot rights to the Greek side, would bring it no gains.
“Those who attempt to threaten Turkey despite international law should know that with a Greek-biased approach it is not possible for them to contribute to reaching a reconciliation on Cyprus which is fair, permanent, viable, and based on realities,” he warned.
He reiterated that Turkish Cypriots are also living on the island and they hold exactly the same rights as their Greek neighbours.
Tatar also stressed that a resolution can only be reached when the island’s realities are no longer ignored.
AA News Agency
