Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu made statements regarding Maraş and the Cyprus issue to BRT and TRT.

Stressing that there was no problem regarding sovereignty in the fenced-off city of Maraş, Feyzioğlu said that Maraş was the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) adding that the issue that needed to be resolved was the property issue.

Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu gave a special interview to Bayrak Radio Television Corporation (BRT) and TRT.

Responding to a question about the next process regarding Maraş, Ambassador Feyzioğlu said that Maraş was TRNC territory.

Stating that it was the first step to show that the fenced city of Maraş was the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, he said “if there is any hesitation in the world on this matter, they must overcome this hesitation.” Noting that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus opened the main streets of Maraş to pedestrians in a way that would not pose any danger, Feyzioğlu said that this idea was also settled in society and it was understood without hesitation by third countries.

Stating that an infrastructure problem may arise in the region due to Maraş being closed for so many years, the Ambassador said that these problems will gradually be solved.

Pointing out that the only issue that the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights can look at was the property issue, Feyzioğlu stated that the title deeds should be examined to solve the property issue.

Ambassador Feyzioğlu also stressed that the TRNC will solve the property issue in accordance with international law.

“Even if third countries still practice isolation by trampling on international law and they ruthlessly violate the most fundamental rights of Turkish Cypriots, their human rights, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is our sister State, a law-abiding State. I have no doubt that it will resolve the property issue in the fenced off city of Maraş in accordance with international law and the basic principles of law. Therefore, when the European Court of Human Rights looks at it, it will say ‘okay, it has been resolved.’ This is a process. Its opening took two and a half to three years. So I’m not saying a lot of patience, I’m saying a little bit of patience” he said.

Stating that the power of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus depended on the power of Türkiye and vice versa, the Turkish Ambassador reminded that Turkish Vice-President Fuat Oktay had expressed this when he visited the island.

He reminded that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had made a historic speech at the United Nations General Assembly and said “President Erdoğan has irrevocably declared a state policy. The TRNC should be recognized.”

“This means that there are two states on the island based on sovereign equality. This means that both sides have equal international status. Whatever meetings will be held after that with third countries, the guarantor country, the United Nations or the South must be done under the sub-explanations of this sentence. This is a historic speech because it has set an irreversible direction” Ambassador Feyzioğlu noted.

Stating that there were those who confuse recognition with being a State, he noted that the most fundamental documents of international law on this subject do not seek recognition as a condition of being a state.

“The conditions of being a state are clear. The TRNC has all of these. There is a country element, there is a nation element. There is an element of legitimate authority. Recognition is by no means an element of statehood” Feyzioğlu said.

He also stressed that the isolations imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which are said to be due to non-recognition, were political.

“Since recognition is not an element of being a state, the isolations imposed on the grounds of non-recognition are political, not legal. All third actors operating this political process must take into account Türkiye’s highly strengthened position. Political steps to be taken without taking Türkiye into account are not sustainable for those states which do this carelessly” he said.

“Türkiye has a very strong economy; temporary problems will definitely be overcome. The world is already struggling with economic distress and inflation. The important thing is its structural endurance and strength and its installed power. Türkiye’s strength in this sense is accepted by the world” the Turkish Ambassador added.

Stressing that Türkiye was among the giants of the world in the defence industry, Ambassador Feyzioğlu said that this was a power and that this power has evolved into a diplomatic one.

He also stressed that looking at the big picture Türkiye is a country that carries out diplomatic process in a balanced way with its political stability, economic power, advanced technology defence industry, cultural diplomacy, sports diplomacy and education diplomacy.

“We have to transform the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus into an economy that stands on its own feet, produces and exports, and into a society with improved welfare. The TRNC is a sovereign state, an independent state. There is a steady and inviolable brotherhood between Türkiye and the TRNC” Feyzioğlu noted.

Stating that Türkiye’s duty arising from the law of brotherhood was to support the TRNC in a way that it supports itself and pave the way for better welfare for society, he noted that Türkiye had been giving its support for years.