Özuslu was critical of both the Turkish Republic Government and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Embassy in Ankara, stating, “Since 2021, the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the TRNC Embassy in Ankara have been playing the three monkeys game regarding the entry ban imposed on Turkish Cypriots“.
He posted the following on his personal social media account:
“Five months ago, on October 14, 2023, the proposal we submitted, signed by the entire CTP Group and two independent MPs, regarding the establishment of a Research Committee to Investigate the Reasons for Not Allowing Some TRNC Citizens to Enter the Republic of Turkey and Ways to Solve This Problem,” was rejected by the UBP and its allies. Ünal Üstel had stated that he would take on the issue, establish contact with the Turkish government, and inform the opposition.
“Two months later, on December 14, 2023, during the budget discussions in the General Assembly of the Parliament, when we brought up the issue again, Üstel claimed that he had “made the necessary correspondence with the Turkish Government” and said that he would soon inform the public.
“Months passed again, Üstel once again did not keep his promise, it emerged that he did not do anything about this issue, and another Turkish Cypriot was unable to enter Turkey. TDP Central Executive Committee member Evrim Hınçal, along with his wife and their 4-year-old child, experienced unhappy hours at Istanbul Airport before being sent back to Cyprus. So far, the number of TRNC citizens rejected by the Turkish government citing G82 and N82 codes has risen to 13. The remaining ones continue to live with the fear of “Who’s next in line? If I go, will I be turned away?”
“Meanwhile, the UBP-DP-YDP trio is still playing the “Three Monkeys.” Ünal Üstel, Fikri Ataoğlu, Erhan Arıklı, fearing the loss of their seats, do not stand up for the rights of their own citizens and even hinder such efforts.
“On the other hand, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ambassador in Ankara, Metin Feyzioğlu, who issues statements on TRNC internal affairs every other day, remains silent on this matter. It’s as if it’s not Turkey that’s not letting TRNC citizens into the country and not telling those flagged with N82/G82 to “go see the Turkish Embassy in your country,” as if those who apply to the embassy aren’t being ignored.
“TC-TRNC relations have never been this bad, this painful, or this divisive before. Shame on those who remain silent, those who play the three monkeys, and even those who secretly rejoice!“
