General Secretary of Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Kutlay Erk has responded to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s request regarding TRNC citizenship to be given to Turkish citizens residing in North Cyprus, ‘Kibris Postasi’ reports.
Erk said that such requests had been made in the past by other Turkish leaders but that it is the North Cyprus government that has the ultimate authority on this matter.
“Giving citizenship to every person who wants is wrong,” he said. He stated that it is the government’s responsibility to review these citizenship requests and its response should be based on the rules and regulation.
Erk noted that in order for the government to be able to give new citizenships, firstly they have to consider if they have fulfilled their responsibilities towards their citizens.
He said, “At the current stage the government has not been able to provide its citizens with sufficient work opportunities and people are not happy with the health and education facilities.” Erk added that limited resources created these problems and that during such a time, increasing the population will only add to them, therefore, handing out citizenship to every person who wants it is wrong.
