Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu has reacted to the biased attitude of the European Union regarding the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) registration of Hellim.

Ertuğruloğlu warned that if care is not taken, a dangerous process may be entered, where the competent authorities of the State are disabled and the Greek Cypriot side is given the right to take decisions on behalf of the TRNC.

Issuing a statement the foreign minister said the core of the Cyprus issue and the reason behind its continuation is the treatment by the international community of the Greek Cypriot side as if it were the “sole state and the representative” of Cyprus and of the Turkish Cypriot people as if they were a mere “community”.

“Therefore, the Cyprus question, in essence, is an issue of status” said Ertuğruloğlu.

“In order to address the issue of status and pave the way for an acceptable settlement, the Turkish Cypriot side has recently put forward a new and realistic vision as its new Cyprus policy. This vision and policy is supported by Motherland Turkey” he said and added that all matters associated with the Turkish Cypriot’s foreign policy should be formulated in line with the guiding principles of the new vision adopted by the state.

“Needless to say, this includes Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) registration of hellim and its aftermath. However, developments have proven otherwise” he said.

Stating that even though the PDO registration of hellim is interpreted as a positive step which will enable the exportation of hellim to the European Union’s internal market, he said the stance adopted by the European Union, as all its other policies, contradicts with our new vision.

“It is amply clear that the European Union treats the Greek Cypriot Ministry of Agriculture as the “competent authority”. It is envisaged that the Turkish Cypriot hellim producers would be inspected through a mechanism determined by the Greek Cypriot side. This stance of the European Union leaves the Turkish Cypriot hellim producers to the mercy of the Greek Cypriot side, which intends to extend its authority over our country. It is worth reminding that following the PDO registration of hellim by the European Union, the Greek Cypriot hellim producers have already begun to benefit from the said registration” Ertuğruloğlu said.

He added that an arrangement that will enable the Turkish Cypriot’s relevant State authorities’ involvement in determining the compatibility of hellim production with the PDO registration would be in line with their new vision, however the EU’s position remains remote to come to this term.

“I would like to remind that we, as the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have stressed on every occasion that the European Union is not and will not be an impartial actor. It is necessary to reiterate that, if not cautious, an uncharted process may be experienced that may risk the exclusion of our relevant authorities and even allowing the Greek Cypriot side to act on behalf of our country” Ertuğruloğlu said.