President Erdoğan: There is no way out other than a two-state solution in Cyprus
President and Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the party’s parliamentary group meeting.
Touching upon the Cyprus issue, President Erdoğan said that the Cyprus issue is the common cause of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot peoples.
Recalling that he had previously stated that he could hold a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece for the solution of the issue, and that first round of the exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece was held in Istanbul, President Erdoğan said that the second round was planned to be held in Athens, and, referring to Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ recent statements, added: “After you make such challenges, how are we supposed to come together with you? You should first know your place. If you are really after peace, don’t challenge me. Know your place. If you do not know your place, it means that you have kicked the table, you have run away. We have never run away from the table. We have been present at the table. But it will be impossible for us to sit at the same table with you in the current state of affairs. What you have done on the islands is obvious. What is it that you trust? You think that some sort of support will come from somewhere again, do you rely on this? If you do so, you are wrong. No matter what support you get, never forget that Turkey stands strong and knows when to do what is necessary.”
“A FUTURE IN WHICH PEACE AND STABILITY PREVAIL CAN BE BUILT IN THE ISLAND ONLY IF DRAW LESSONS FROM THE PAST”
“There is no way out other than a two-state solution in Cyprus now. Whether you accept it or not, there is no such thing as a federation any longer,” the President said.
Underscoring that the Cyprus issue should be addressed with a solution-oriented approach in line with the spirit of the new era, President Erdoğan noted that the two-state solution was the only way for Cyprus, and added: “We know that our brothers and sisters in the TRNC think and act the same way as we do. I believe a future in which peace and stability prevail can be built in the Island only if we are not overshadowed by the past and rather draw lessons from it. If we are to sit at the table regarding Cyprus, we can do that only under these conditions. Otherwise, everyone will mind their own business.”
