Unal Ustel, leader of the National Unity Party and “prime minister” of the breakaway administration in the occupied areas, has claimed that the results of the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus showed a further weakening of support for a federation-based settlement.
In a written statement cited by Turkish Cypriot media, Ustel argued that what he described as an increasingly strong “ultra-nationalist” political line on the Greek Cypriot side had been reinforced by the election results. He claimed this once again demonstrated a departure from what he called a realistic, viable and fair approach to the Cyprus problem.
According to Ustel, the result showed that the Greek Cypriot side “is not and will not be ready” for what he described as a fair understanding of the Cyprus issue based on the sovereign equality of the two peoples, their equal international status and the existing realities on the island.
He further claimed it was “noteworthy” that, following the elections, ultra-nationalist politics had gained further strength and that views treating Turkish Cypriots not as equal founding partners but as a minority had become more influential.
Ustel also argued that support on the Greek Cypriot side for a federation-centred solution had clearly weakened.
“It is clear that a much harsher and more exclusionary political atmosphere has been formed against the justified arguments of the Turkish side, which are based on sovereign equality,” he said, claiming that this picture confirmed once again the correctness and realism of the two-state vision promoted by the Turkish Cypriot side in the Cyprus issue.
He added that the two-state position pursued on the Cyprus problem, the resolution on Cyprus unanimously approved by Turkey’s Grand National Assembly, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policy of seeking recognition and promotion of the breakaway entity constituted, in his view, “the most correct and strongest road map” for the period ahead.
Ustel said the National Unity Party would continue working to strengthen the breakaway administration, improve the welfare of Turkish Cypriots, end what he described as “unjust isolation” and secure a place for the entity in the international community.
Source: CNA
