Greek Cypriot unwilling to accept political equality with Turkish Cypriot - Turkish PM

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has accused the Greek Cypriot side of unwilling to accept political equality with the Turkish Cypriots, a reason why all efforts to reach a settlement since 1968 had been unsuccessful.

In an interview to the Greek newspaper ToVima, Yıldırım said that the Greek Cypriots were unable to accept the political equality of Turkish Cypriots which was why all efforts to reach a settlement since 1968 had been unsuccessful.

Yıldım added that a settlement to be reached on the island would contribute to bringing peace and stability to the region.

Speaking on the Greek Cypriot Administration’s unilateral hydrocarbon exploration activities, Yıldırım said “this issue is an example of the Greek Cypriots’ narrow minded approaches. 

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım

The Greek Cypriots are acting as if the whole of the island belongs to them and they are ignoring the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the process. Turkey will continue to protect both its own rights and that of the Turkish Cypriots.”