The statement made by Josep Borrell, the Vice-President of the European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, following the EU Foreign Affairs Council dated 12 July 2021 regarding “Cyprus” is very unfortunate.
In his statement Borrell, disregards the Turkish Cypriot People, as usual, and makes a call on Turkey on the issue of Maraş. It is worth emphasizing once again that the closed area of Maraş is the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the steps taken in the closed area of Maraş are being undertaken by the TRNC State and the Government. The counterpart of the international community, in general, and the European Union, in particular, on this issue is only the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The European Union has made a historical mistake on the Cyprus issue by unilaterally accepting the Greek Cypriot side into the European Union in contravention of its own membership criteria and before a settlement was reached on the Cyprus issue. This irreversible mistake indicates that the European Union has taken its side on the Cyprus issue. The principles of equality and impartiality are overlooked by the European Union in its approach towards the Cyprus issue. The EU has lost its reliability and credibility before the Turkish Cypriot People, as it has not kept any of its promises it had extended to them.
Borrell also stated in his statement that the EU had rejected the “two-state solution model in Cyprus”. This unfortunate statement shows how unwilling and prejudiced the European Union is to understand the just demands and requests of the Turkish Cypriot side. It is seen that the European Union, whose current stance is pro-Greek and who is not considering the equality of the parties, builds its vision regarding Cyprus on wrong assessments. Under these circumstances, the European Union is not in a position to decide on the solution model.
At the 5+United Nations informal meeting held in Geneva, the Turkish Cypriot side, in order to reach an agreement on the Cyprus issue, presented its new vision based on the existing facts on the island and the cooperation of the two sides. The new vision of the Turkish Cypriot side is not limited to the acknowledgement of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the two States on the island. Our proposal, also envisages the establishment of cooperation between the two States once the sovereign equality and equal international status of the two States have been confirmed. The Turkish Cypriot side believes that this proposal will also pave the way for an acceptable and sustainable agreement.
It is not possible to expect a result that does not support the Greek Cypriot side’s position on Cyprus from the EU Foreign Council Meetings which ignores the views and even the existence of the Turkish Cypriot side. Despite this policy of the European Union, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, whose aim is to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot People, will maintain its determined stance with the unwavering support of the Motherland Turkey.
