Turkey ready to do its part for resolving Cyprus issue - Turkish FM

Turkey is ready to do what is necessary to find a solution to the decades-long Cyprus issue, but will not compromise on the protection, interests and rights of the Greek Cypriots, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said. 

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Tuesday said that Turkey is ready to do its part for finding a substantial solution to the ongoing Cyprus issue, while underlining that Turkey will not allow any fait accompli or unilateral steps in the island.

We will never shy away from taking steps to protect the interests of Turkish Cypriots and Turkish people, Çavuşoğlu said in a joint press conference with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay.

We want a permanent resolution and peace. Since the beginning, Turkey has demonstrated this to the world not only with its statements but also with its steps taken; in the following process, we will do our part for the resolution, Çavuşoğlu added regarding the decades-long peace talks between the Turkish and Greek sides of the island.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island’s Turks and Ankara’s intervention as a guarantor power.

To resolve the Cyprus issue, there have been some efforts, including peace talks last year in July. 

Çavuşoğlu said previously that the talks brokered by the United Nations in Crans-Montana, Switzerland failed due to the unreasonable demands of the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece.

Commenting on the possible future steps to initiate talks, Çavuşoğlu said in order to yield results, the sides need to determine the framework of the negotiations ahead of starting a new process, adding that Turkey has been in close cooperation with the TRNC and continuously involved in consultation.

Özersay stressed that the TRNC welcomes the support of Turkey and added that he held talks with Çavuşoğlu regarding a variety of issues such as the future of the island and the hydrocarbon exploration in parts of the eastern Mediterranean.

SOURCEDaily Sabah