The Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu stated that the Turkish Cypriot Government does not insist on keeping the 1960 guarantee system as it is; however, one condition which they are seeking in any new guarantee system is the continuation of Turkey’s right to intervene when required.

Speaking at the General Council of the Parliament, Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu said that the Turkish Cypriot Government will not accept any system which does not include Turkey’s guarantee. Ertuğruloğlu also said that a system which depends on a decision by the UN Security Council is unacceptable.

Ertuğruloglu indicated that while the current conditions of the guarantee system could be revised, Turkey’s right to unilaterally intervene must remain.

The Foreign Minister highlighted that the Greek Cypriots have stated that they are afraid of the presence of Turkish troops on the island, but it was the Greek Cypriots themselves which were the reason for the Turkish troops’ intervention on the island in 1974.

Ertuğruloğlu stated that if the Greek Cypriot side is still anxious about Turkey’s guarantee, this shows that they may intend to start a movement similar to that which occurred in 1963.

According to the Minister, the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus established in 1960 was restricted, as exemplified by the Republic of Cyprus being unable to be a member of any organization which did not include both Turkey and Greece.

The Turkish Cypriots are a peace-loving people, Ertuğruloğlu said, but “we defend the fact that this island has two equal owners.”

Furthermore, Ertuğruloğlu said that the Greek Cypriots want to keep the Turkish Cypriots with a minority status in a Hellenic island, something which should be analysed. Undertaking an analysis of this situation does not mean that the Turkish Cypriots are against peace.