Turkish Cypriot 'prime minister' Ünal Üstel has criticised the European Union following the approval of the European Parliament’s report on Turkey by its Foreign Affairs Committee, raising objections to both its language and its broader position on Cyprus.
In a statement, Üstel expressed dissatisfaction with wording in the report referring to a “legitimate community”, arguing that such an approach ignores the will of Turkish Cypriots. He also rejected the European Parliament’s call to resume negotiations from where they left off, as well as the proposal for the European Commission to appoint a special envoy.
According to Üstel, these positions fail to take into account the Turkish Cypriot side’s demand for “sovereign equality” and “equal international status”.
Responding to references in the report to occupation and calls for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus, Üstel defended Turkey’s role and stressed the importance of security for Turkish Cypriots.
On Varosha, he said that actions in the area are being carried out on the basis of respect for property rights, rejecting criticism describing them as an exploitation of past events.
Üstel also placed responsibility on the European Union for the prolonged deadlock in the Cyprus issue, criticising its decision to admit the Republic of Cyprus following the referendums on the Annan Plan.
He concluded by calling on European institutions to adopt what he described as a more “realistic” approach and to respect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot side.
Source: CNA