Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu stressed that as long as the Greek Cypriot side does not respect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, a solution is not possible in Cyprus.
Minister Ertuğruloğlu held a press conference at TRNC Doha Representative Office in Quatar within the framework of his visit to gulf countries.
Replying the questions of the journalists regarding the Cyprus problem, negotiation process, TRNC and his visit to Gulf countries, Ertuğruloğlu gave information about TRNC tourism, high education and the other sectors and invited the press members to the TRNC.
Furthermore, talking about the history of the Cyprus problem, Ertuğruoğlu stressed that as long as the Greek Cypriot side is considered as a state and the Turkish Cypriot side is a community, it is not possible to reach a success at the negotiations continuing for 50 years under the auspices of the UN.
Expressing that as long as the Greek Cypriot side considers the Turkish Cypriot people as a minority, does not respect their rights and accept them as an equal partner, he believes that it is not possible to reach an agreement. Adding that UN soldiers have been in the island since 1964 but they could not prevent the conflicts in Cyprus, Ertuğruloğlu stressed that the only guarantee of peace and prosperity in Cyprus is Turkish Armed Forces and pointed out that since 1974, even one conflict has not been experienced thanks to the Turkish Armed Forces. Expressing that political and sovereign equality is a sine qua non for a solution to be reached in Cyprus, Minister Ertuğruloğlu said that Turkish Cypriot people are peaceful people and they have always wanted a solution in the island but the Greek Cypriot side wants to continue the current negotiation process as open ended, put obstacles in front of the Turkish Cypriots to globalize and blame Turkey as an occupant.
Noticing that Greek Cypriot side did not give permission to the children to pass to the TRNC who arrived in Cyprus via Larnaca airport for 23 April celebrations, Ertuğruloğlu said this is not acceptable.
Stressing that as a result of the embargoes imposed on the TRNC, direct flights and trade to the TRNC are not possible but thanks to the advantages accorded by Turkey, TRNC has developed especially in the fields of high education and tourism, Minister Ertuğruloğlu said that there is close cooperation between Turkey and Qatar.
Upon a question on natural gas exploration in Cyprus, Ertuğruloğlu said that Turkish Cypriot people have also equal and legal rights on natural gas explored in Cyprus, and this should not be forgotten. Ertuğruloğlu said that if this reality is not taken into consideration, Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey will not allow the Greek Cypriot side to take any step without considering the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.
Furthermore, Minister Ertuğruloğlu said that he held very positive meetings in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar within the framework of his visit.