Foreign Minister Nami meets with Foreign Minister of Turkey Çavuşoğlu
Foreign Minister Özdil Nami received Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, who has held various contacts in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Nami: “We continue to maintain our firm presence at the negotiating table”
During the meeting with Minister Çavuşoğlu at the TRNC Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Özdil Nami addressed Minister Çavuşoğlu as “my valued friend” and expressed that his visit comes at a very significant time.
Foreign Minister Nami informed the press that a series of high-level contacts were held during the fruitful visit of Minister Çavuşoğlu and that the Cyprus issue, as well as matters concerning relations between the two governments, were discussed in detail.
Nami expressed that TRNC officials are conducting the Cyprus negotiations within the framework of complete solidarity and in cooperation with Turkey to convey the position of the Turkish Cypriot side, stating “We continue to maintain our firm presence at the negotiating table”.
Nami added that the Turkish Cypriot side is displaying the necessary efforts to urge Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiadis to return to the negotiating table without any preconditions or further delay.
Minister Nami stated “Our will to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue has never diminished. It remains strong and unabated”, adding that both Cyprus and the region are in need of a comprehensive settlement.
Minister Nami informed that policies have been created within the Ministry with a broad vision, and expressed his hope that South Cyprus will act with a similar point of view.
Çavuşoğlu: “Anastasiadis has failed the sincerity test”
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated during the meeting that “This has been a timely visit”, pointing to the important turn of events taking place.
Underlining that the support of the Republic of Turkey to the Turkish Cypriot people and the TRNC at this significant juncture should be reiterated, Çavuşoğlu stated “We are here to place emphasis on the existence of this support”.
Minister Çavuşoğlu recalled that the Cyprus negotiations have been interrupted as a result of Anastasiadis withdrawing from the negotiating table, stating “Anastasiadis and the Greek Cypriot side have unfortunately failed the sincerity test”.
Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that following the withdrawal of the Greek Cypriot side from the negotiating table, the Turkish Cypriot side has continued its good will initiatives and that the Greek Cypriot side and Anastasiadis have been put through a test in face of these initiatives.
Çavuşoğlu stated “If [the Greek Cypriot side] truly wants comprehensive negotiations and sustainable peace and resolution in Cyprus, it should return to the table immediately and without preconditions”.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that they will not allow the Turkish Cypriot people to be victimized throughout this process.
Minister Çavuşoğlu emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, which are acknowledged by all sides, and that they are against the unilateral drilling activities of the Greek Cypriot side.
Çavuşoğlu pointed to the need for joint work to be done which will guarantee that the rights of both communities are protected.
Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu indicated that the unilateral drilling activities of the Greek Cypriot side will not benefit the resolution of the Cyprus issue or the negotiation process, stating that “They need to return to the table with the sincere intention to resolve these issues”.
Minister Çavuşoğlu expressed that they will continue to support the negotiation process, but that they will also take all the necessary precautions to protect the just interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu highlighted the impeccable cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC and stated that they share the same stance.
