President Erdoğan: The Turkish Cypriot people have sovereign equality in the island
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference at Atatürk Airport in Istanbul ahead of his visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Wishing Eid Mubarak to Turkey and the Islamic World on the occasion of Eid al-Adha that will start tomorrow, President Erdoğan said: “We will be leaving for Lefkosa in a short while to join the ceremonies that will be held on July 20 Peace and Freedom Day marking the 47th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. We will be celebrating double festivals at once with our brothers and sisters in the island.”
“WE WILL TAKE THE INITIAL STEPS FOR NEW PROJECTS”
Reminding that the Cyprus Peace Operation, conducted on the basis of the rights and responsibilities arising from the guarantor status, had brought to an end the atrocities which the Greek Cypriots had been committing against the Turkish Cypriots and which had been intensifying since 1963. “During the visit, I will meet with President Mr. Ersin Tatar and we will talk about our national cause and the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. We will exchange views on the furthering of the close cooperation between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
Noting that he would address a special session at the Turkish Cypriot parliament, President Erdoğan said: “I, together with President Mr. Tatar, inaugurate projects in various areas which we have been carrying out with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and we will also take the initial steps for new projects.”
“THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE IN THE ISLAND FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY”
President Erdoğan continued as follows: “The Turkish Cypriots have been fighting for equality and justice in the island for over half a century. For that cause, we have paid countless prices and overcome countless obstacles together. The Turkish Cypriot people have sovereign equality and equal international status in the island, where they are equal partners. In this regard, the proposal put forward in Geneva by President Mr. Tatar is a historic opportunity putting the solution efforts which have thus fur yielded no results on a realistic basis and clearing the way for a solution. The Turkish Cypriot side has thereby once again shown the whole world who favors solution and who benefits from deadlock.”
Reiterating his call on anyone hoping for a just, lasting and sustainable future in Cyprus to seize this historic opportunity, President Erdoğan stated: “Solution in Cyprus can be achieved only on the basis of the facts in the island. If there is to be a fresh negotiation process in the future, this can be realized only between two sovereign and equal states.”
“TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO STAND BY THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS”
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a state that is able to stand on its own feet despite all the hardships, stressed President Erdoğan. “It is determinedly walking towards a prosperous future with its democratic tradition and developing economy. As has been the case thus far, Turkey and each individual of the Turkish nation will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots.”
President Erdoğan answered reporters’ questions following the press conference.
CJEU RULING ON HEADSCARF BAN
In answer to a question about the EU Court of Justice ruling on headscarf ban, President Erdoğan said: “The Court of Justice should change its name. It has nothing to do with being a court of justice. They should first learn what freedom of religion means so as to prove that they a court of justice. There can be no court of justice which doesn’t know what freedom of religion means. They should learn about this. I dare them to say this to those wearing kippah! Would they dare to say such things to those wearing kippah? Neither the Court of Justice nor any other court is entitled or authorized to make such designations about Muslims who just fulfill the requirements of their religion.”
“IT IS NECESSARY TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT PEACE IS PREVAILING IN AFGHANISTAN”
Answering a question about Turkey’s possible role in securing and operating the international airport in Kabul and the statements alleged to be made by the Taliban regarding Turkey’s possible role, President Erdoğan said that in the statement made by the Taliban there is no phrase ‘We don’t want Turkey’,”. Stressing that Afghanistan is a Muslim-majority country and that the Taliban is well aware of the position of the leadership in Turkey regarding the issue, President Erdoğan stated that it is not an appropriate approach for the Taliban to continue its act of occupation, so-to-speak, in Afghanistan. “We are calling on the Taliban from Turkey. It needs to end this act of occupation, its occupation of the soil of its brothers and sisters. And it is necessary to show the world without delay that peace is prevailing in Afghanistan.”
