Tag Archives: TRNC

Regarding the two personnel of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force

UN Peacekeeping Force officials were invited to our Ministry today regarding the two personnel of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (BMBG) stationed on the island, who caused damages and complaints on a beach in Famagusta the previous day. The incident was strongly protested by our Ministry.

The officials of our Ministry requested from the UN officials to investigate the incident in collaboration with the TRNC General Directorate of Police, in a serious and prompt manner and to compensate the damage caused to the enterprise without delay. Moreover, the petition of the owner was conveyed to UN regarding the compensation of the damage.

During the meeting, it was reminded that the UN Peacekeeping Force is present as a guest in our country and its members must abide by the rules and laws of our country. This incident actually proves how right the TRNC is in its insistence on reaching a legal agreement between the UN and the TRNC regulating the activities of UNFICYP in our territory.

Regarding the irregular migration

As it is known, irregular migration is becoming increasingly complex as communication and transportation have globalized and the repercussions of the poverty, economic and/or political instability in some countries have global effects. The problems resulted by this phenomenon, namely “irregular migration”, are beyond the means of a single country to overcome. Therefore, the prevention of irregular migration requires the international community to exert joint effort with the sense of responsibility and solidarity.

At the crossroad of three continents, the Island of Cyprus is not immune to irregular migration. Both the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus receive irregular immigration from various countries. Contrary to the Greek Cypriot side, our country is devoid of international assistance and struggling with irregular migration only with the support of Motherland Turkey. As stated above, we believe that the issue of irregular migration should be addressed within the spirit of cooperation. Our State announces, on every occasion, that it favors cooperation with the Greek Cypriot side in matters concerning our Island. It is worth reminding that our offer to establish a cooperation with the Greek Cypriot side on irregular migration remains to be on the table. We would like to take this opportunity to renew, once again, our proposal for cooperation on “irregular migration”, posing significant challenge to all of us.

Regarding the unilateral natural gas exploration activities of the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus

The Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus (GCA) has been escalating tension in the Eastern Mediterranean through its continuing hydrocarbon related activities with an Italian-owned and Maltese-flagged vessel named NAUTICAL GEO. The Greek Cypriot administration, through a NAVTEX issued on 20 October 2021, has stated that it will commence exploration activities between the dates 21-23 October 2021 in the south of the island overlapping with the licensed blocks by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The Turkish Cypriot people, as one of the co-owner of the island, are also the co-owner of the hydrocarbon resources around the island. This is a natural reflection of the sovereign equality and equal status of the Turkish Cypriot people gained in 1960. Therefore, we strongly protest the exploration announced by the Greek Cypriot side which did not seek the consent of the TRNC.

In view of the foregoing, the Turkish Cypriot side will not remain as a mere spectator while its rights are being usurped and violated by the unilateral acts and fait accompli created by the Greek Cypriot side. In response to the unilateral acts of the Greek Cypriot side, the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) will continue to undertake activities on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people in the licence blocks announced by our State in order to protect our rights.

The Turkish Cypriot side has always opted cooperation and reconcilement as priority tools to handle this issue. The proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side dated 13 July 2019 regarding the natural resources in and around the island; as well as the call of Turkey to convene a conference with the participation of all interested parties in the Eastern Mediterranean including the TRNC, are two important opportunities which will enable the issue to be handled in a diplomatic manner.

Availing this opportunity, we would like to remind our calls for cooperation once again to the Greek Cypriot administration which raises tension and creates instability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu continuous his contacts in Washington

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mr. Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu continues his Washington D.C. contacts. Minister Ertuğruloğlu had meetings with members of the House of Representatives of the US Congress, Congressman Mr. Pete Sessions and Congressman Mr. Steve Chabot respectively on 28 September 2021. During his meetings, Minister Ertuğruloğlu explained in detail the new vision of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which envisages sovereign equality and equal international status of the State of the Turkish Cypriot people.