The TRNC Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned the Greek Cypriot education ministry for its decision to withdraw an English textbook following strong reactions to instructions issued earlier in the day to tear out a page on Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

In a written statement, the foreign ministry said that was “a new example of the Greek Cypriot administration’s racist behaviour.”

The statement said that the legendary struggle waged by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for the foundation of the modern Turkish Republic and his reforms as well as principles adopted had served as an inspiration to all countries and nations.

“This act of disrespect to the leader of the Turkish nation is unacceptable,” it read.

The statement added the reflection of the Greek Cypriot side’s continued hostile attitude in the Greek Cypriot education system and its intolerance against Turkish presence on the island was proof that it couldn’t bear the heroic history of the Turkish nation.

“The international community must understand that it is this racist mentality of the Greek Cypriot side that is the reason for not being able to reach an agreement on the island,” the statement read.