We have read with astonishment the statement dated 21 August 2016 by the Government Spokesperson of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides, in which he illogically alleges that the continuation of Motherland Turkey’s guarantorship will also have a negative impact on the Turkish Cypriots.
The Spokesperson’s audacity to speak on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people is unacceptable. At a time when it has already been agreed by the two sides that the security and guarantees chapter will be discussed in the last phase of the UN-led negotiations and with the participation of the guarantors at a multilateral conference, constantly bringing up this issue outside of its context on frequent occasions through the press does not serve any purpose other than to damage the settlement process and lead us to question the willingness of the Greek Cypriot side to adhere to its commitments.
The Spokesperson’s claim that there will be no need for any guarantee apart from that of the EU following a settlement, indicates that the Greek Cypriot side insists on not understanding the reasoning behind the Turkish Cypriot side’s established position on security and guarantees. Christodoulides also stated that the Turkish Cypriots will need to choose which future they prefer; an EU-member United Cyprus, or a future which includes Turkey. We would like to emphasize, once again, that the effective and actual guarantee of Motherland Turkey will under no circumstance be set aside by EU membership and that the guarantee of Turkey is indispensable for the Turkish Cypriot people. We therefore strongly condemn the Greek Cypriot side’s unsolicited advisory approach on issues that concern our own security.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind the Greek Cypriot side that the Turkish Cypriot people are governed by their own elected authorities. We call on the Greek Cypriot side to refrain from going so far as to give advice to and speak on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots, as well as from continuing the unconstructive approach which we have recently observed quite frequently.