Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Sunday said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Türkiye were moving forward with steps as two states-one nation.
He also announced that the Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay will be visiting the TRNC in the coming days to discuss much needed projects in the country.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu who is the TRNC for an official visit embarked on his contacts on Sunday meeting with representatives of various civil society organisations and citizens.
The meeting held at the Beyaz Ev was also attended by the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri and the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal.
In a tweet posted after the meeting, Çavuşoğlu gave a message of unity and solidarity.
“We are together, yesterday, today and always! We shall not allow those who try to disrupt our unity!” he tweeted.
Later, the Turkish foreign minister came together with citizens in Lapta Başpınar.
Addressing the public gathering, Çavuşoğlu gave messages of unity and support.
Touching upon the Cyprus Issue, he said that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to rehash old positions under the disguise of confidence-building measures (CBMs).
Çavuşoğlu added that the Turkish Cypriot side’s position on the matter was clear.
He pointed out that the world was currently struggling with a serious crisis, wars, energy and food shortages and rising prices.
“Türkiye, however is amongst countries which influence developments around the world with its principled, balanced, just and objective policies as well as its strength. This is important because you need to be in a position to counter attempts and games that are aimed at bringing you down,” he said.
Regarding the settlement of the Cyprus Problem, Çavuşoğlu said that the Turkish side’s new two-state policy was a game-changing position on the Cyprus Issue.
He reminded that the Greek Cypriot side had rejected all proposals, offers and plans for a federal settlement.
“From now on we shall be discussing sovereign equality not political equality,” Çavuşoğlu said, adding that they were working for the international recognition of the Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereign equality.
He pointed out that the proposals tabled at the informal summit in Geneva as well as the Maraş initiative were part of these moves.
On the issue of CBMs, Çavuşoğlu said that Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot side were ready to discuss confidence-building measures but that they would not be accepting attempts by the Greek Cypriot side to promote CBMs by removing various elements that would otherwise be part of a comprehensive settlement.
Çavuşoğlu was also adamant on the issue of hydrocarbons, stating that neither Türkiye nor the Turkish Cypriot side will accept attempts to usurp their rights.
Also touching upon the issue of projects to be implemented, Çavuşoğlu said that Ankara will continue to take all necessary steps to move the TRNC forward.