The General Secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu has criticized the complaints made by the Speaker of the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetriou concerning the TRNC flag at the opening session of the Parliamentary Assembly meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Bahrain.

“Our path is long but not impossible. Every passing day, our state is becoming more visible. We will take the place we deserve within the international community,” he said.

Issuing a press statement slamming the speaker of the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetriou who sent a letter of protest to the Chairman of the OIC regarding the TRNC flag at the Parliamentary Assembly meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Bahrain, the General Secretary of the UBP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said that the Greek Cypriot official’s letter demonstrated once again that the Greek Cypriot side was not sincere regarding a settlement to the Cyprus Problem.

He pointed out that he had taken part in a debate session within the scope of the meetings, discussing and debating with four Greek Cypriot MPs and three European MPs the Cyprus issue.

“Despite it being very clear that there is no common ground for the restart of negotiations we had reached an agreement on the need to collaborate on earthquakes and climate change. Following the meeting our flag was placed among the flags of the other participating states,” Hasipoğlu said.

The UBP general secretary said that the letter which accused Türkiye of being an occupier in Cyprus and us illegal was extremely disappointing.

“How legal was it for Greek Cypriots to push us out of the 1960 partnership Republic through the force of arms and how legal is it that they represent the whole island? Why is the Greek Cypriot side refraining from sitting at the negotiating table as our equals? What would Greek Cypriots lose if they were to allow Turkish Cypriots to participate in sporting competitions or other international events?” Hasipoğlu asked.

He reminded the Greek Cypriot speaker that there was peace in Cyprus as a result of the Turkish armed forces and the real occupier was the Greek Cypriot leadership which acted in violation and contradiction of international agreements.

“Our neighbours in the south do not need a solution. And those among us who argue that our only option is a federal settlement are failing to see the ugly truth. The Greek Cypriots continue to hold Türkiye responsible for the non-solution on the island whereas it is they who have rejected all solution plans tabled to date,” Hasipoğlu said.

The UBP general secretary said that the Greek Cypriot leadership’s protests and complaints come as no surprise.

“We have never wronged the Greek Cypriot administration or the EU but they have wronged us and continue to do so. The EU has made its biggest mistake by allowing a divided state in conflict to become a member to the block. They have usurped our rights and have failed to keep their promises,” he added.