Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu gives interview to AA
Date Added: 06 October 2023

Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu has completed his contacts in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on the last day of his visits, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu evaluated the work being carried out at the Pile-Yiğitler Road Project.

Stating that the construction of the Pile-Yiğitler Road Project is continuing, Ertuğruloğlu noted that within a few days, the works will reach the area that came to the agenda in August when the UN Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP) soldiers tried to block the road construction.

Stating that the construction of the Pile-Yiğitler Road Project is continuing, Ertuğruloğlu noted that within a few days, the works will reach the area that came to the agenda in August when the UN Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP) soldiers tried to block the road construction.

Noting that he did not believe the UN Peacekeeping Force would attempt to block the work in the area in question again, Ertuğruloğlu said, “If the UN Peacekeeping Force tries to prevent work from taking place, it would be an extremely negative course of action, and there is no possibility that we will meet this with respect and give up on our efforts. We will continue to build the road. There is no going back.”

Pointing out that the Pile-Yiğitler Road is a humanitarian project designed to facilitate the lives of the Turkish Cypriots living in the village of Pile, Ertuğruloğlu said that it is a shame on humanity that this road is being blocked.

Reacting to the UN Security Council’s criticism of the TRNC administration in its statement on the Pile-Yiğitler Road Project, Ertuğruloğlu said “We experience this inequality not only on the Pile-Yiğitler Road, but on every issue we deal with the UN and we carry out our struggle on that ground.”

Underlining that the road was not built by violating anyone’s rights on the project in question, Ertuğruloğlu emphasized that the UN is an organization that has lost its neutrality in Cyprus and that the UN Security Council and its 5 permanent members are responsible for this.

Stating that although there is no agreement between the UN and the TRNC administration and that they tolerate the UN Peacekeeping Force soldiers on the island to serve in the territory of the TRNC as a sign of goodwill, Ertuğruloğlu said the time had come to re-evaluate this position.