Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, visiting Trabzon as a guest of Karadeniz Technical University, delivered a conference titled “Cyprus in the International Legal Context on the 50th Anniversary of the 20th July Turkish Peace Operation” at the Nazım Terzioğlu Conference Hall.
Ertuğruloğlu emphasized that Cyprus is an issue of the Turkish nation.
Speaking at the conference, Ertuğruloğlu emphasized, “Not only the Turkish military but also Türkiye in all its aspects is present and will continue to be present on the island because that island is Turkish.”
He stated that Türkiye, in all its aspects, is present on the island and will continue to be so.
Highlighting the importance of the geography of Cyprus, Ertuğruloğlu said, “When we look at the island’s geography where the island of Cyprus is located, we are talking about an area where the interests of all major countries and organizations are at stake. The US is there, Russia is there, China is there, Israel is there, Arab countries are there, and the EU is there. We also have energy resources and commercial routes, and all these actors are making efforts to pursue politics in that geography in line with their national interests.”
He said that the Cyprus issue was not just about the struggle between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, nor a matter between Türkiye and Greece; but something more global.
The TRNC foreign minister argued that the west was interested in removing Türkiye from Cyprus.
“Turkiye’s effective presence and influence on the island are not a reality that the Western world can stomach. Attempts are being made to drive a wedge between Turkish Cypriots and Türkiye,” he said.
Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu emphasized the importance of the island of Cyprus for the Turkish nation and stated that the European Union is not a neutral organization as claimed.
“If someone still desires the establishment of a new partnership with new negotiations, they are dreaming,” said Ertuğruloğlu.
He concluded his speech by stating that a new federal partnership with Greek Cypriots was out of the question.