Statement from Prime Minister Ünal Üstel
On September 18, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel reacted to the political pressures applied to the Exit company regarding the cancellation of the Nexus Festival, which is expected to take place at Kyrenia Castle. He criticized the Greek Cypriot Administration for its attempts to hinder the international relations and activities of the Turkish Cypriot people. He stated, “You cannot establish a partnership with us by isolating us from the world.”
Strong Criticism of the Greek Cypriot Administration
In a written statement, Ünal Üstel vehemently condemned the systematic pressure and preventive measures of the Greek Cypriot Administration against the Turkish Cypriot people. He noted that the pressures on the upcoming international music event in Kyrenia and the attempts to obstruct Presidential Undersecretary Mehmet Dana’s meetings with foreign diplomatic representatives demonstrate that this mentality has not changed.
The Prime Minister said, “Those who believe that such pressures will make us give up our rights and our sovereignty are in a great delusion. This will never happen,” criticizing the hypocritical stance of the Greek Cypriot Administration. Üstel emphasized that those who talk about federation and reunification are simultaneously trying to prevent the international events of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Üstel indicated that blocking international cultural events with political pressures destroys rather than builds trust, stating that the Greek Cypriot Administration needs to recognize the reality.
“The Turkish Cypriot people view their participation in international representation and events as a right. This right cannot be restricted by anyone,” he asserted, also expressing that the Turkish Cypriot people have the right to determine their own future.
Moreover, he criticized the Greek Cypriot Administration’s attempts regarding the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), stating that the commission is a mechanism internationally recognized by the Turkish Cypriot side. Üstel expressed that the Greek Cypriot Administration is trying to influence this issue through political pressure.
Finally, he discussed the negative impacts of the Greek Cypriot Administration’s threats concerning property issues. Üstel declared that the Greek Cypriot Administration, which pressures the future of the TRNC, will not be able to achieve results with its current methods.
He also addressed Turkey’s effective guarantee on Cyprus, stating that the presence of Turkish troops on the island is not open to debate.
The Prime Minister remarked, “The Turkish Cypriot people will not accept isolation and inhumane practices and will resist all forms of pressure.”
Emphasizing that the future of the Turkish Cypriot people will be shaped by their own will, Üstel noted that all attempts to obstruct them would ultimately harm only those who impose such obstacles.
Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu reacted to the cancellation of the Exit organization, stating that this situation is more than just the cancellation of a music event; it is an attempt to isolate the Turkish Cypriot people from the world.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
