Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu has expressed that the new reality on the island is the presence of two separate, equal, and sovereign peoples and states.

His Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan indicated that the priority of Turkish foreign policy regarding Cyprus was focused on the international status of the TRNC, and the welfare, and security of the Turkish Cypriots.

The two were speaking at a joint news conference in Ankara following their meeting.

“We will continue to do our best to ensure that the Turkish Cypriot State is recognized in the international community,” Fidan said, adding that the international community repeatedly ignored the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Turning to the use of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, Fidan said: “Frankly, I think waiting for the final solution on the Island to benefit from the energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean is not a good situation for both the region and the world.”

He said that it is possible for both parties to use the energy potential that will benefit equally “without the need to wait for a political solution.”

For his part, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu said the Cyprus problem was a national cause.

Ertuğruloğlu added that the new reality on the island was the presence of two separate, equal, and sovereign peoples and states.

The Turkish Cypriot side made suggestions for the joint utilization of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, the minister said, adding that suggestions have always been rejected by the Greek Cypriot side.

“The underlying reason for the rejections is that the world has treated them as if they are the sole legitimate representative of the whole island. Therefore, they already see themselves as the rulers of the island,” he added.