KTOEÖS: No Concession on Our Sovereignty Rights

KTOEÖS held a press conference today at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Turkish Embassy, accompanied by various unions, organizations, and political parties. The statement addressed the resolution passed by the TBMM General Assembly in July, which supports a two-state solution for Cyprus.

The union's statement included the following:

"This resolution, which disregards the will of Turkish Cypriots, international law, and agreements, is neither valid nor acceptable. The Guarantee Agreement signed by Turkey, Greece, and the United Kingdom on August 15, 1960, committed to preserving the independence, territorial integrity, and constitutional order of the Republic of Cyprus. However, despite this agreement prohibiting Enosis or Taksim, the guarantors have not adhered to these commitments."

The statement further highlighted that the conflicts have caused immense suffering to the island's people and that northern Cyprus has been turned into a subordinate administration through policies of assimilation and integration. It emphasized that the struggle for the existence of Turkish Cypriots is being undermined by population transfers, citizenship grants, and interventions.

"High-level politicians, capital, and their collaborating mafia, who benefit from this status quo, strive to maintain the status quo and keep northern Cyprus outside of international law, turning it into a swamp of bribery, corruption, looting, plundering, human trafficking, and money laundering."

The statement criticized separatist rhetoric and decisions for refusing to recognize UN Security Council resolutions and merely perpetuating the existing status quo.

"We, the Turkish Cypriots, are politically equal partners of the Republic of Cyprus. There is no question of conceding our sovereignty rights. We call for the resumption of negotiations based on the 1977-79 High-Level Agreements and the consensus points reached at Crans Montana, aiming for a united federal Cyprus. We once again emphasize the need for respect for the will we have expressed in this regard."

The press conference concluded with a demand for respect for the will of the Turkish Cypriots.