Ersin

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on July 24 condemned an "unprincipled" recent statement by the U.N. Security Council on the reopening of the town of Varosha in Turkish Cyprus.

By Stavri Kalopsidiotou*

Turkish provocations of the Republic of Cyprus are unfortunately not over.

The recent EU summit may have noted in its conclusions that we are in a period of de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, but that does not at all reflect what is going on in Cyprus.

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for a working visit on July 7.

According to diplomatic sources, he will hold official talks, examine the ongoing North Lefkosa Ring Road in Lefkosa, and restoration works in Bilal Agha Mosque, and meet citizens in Yenierenkoy and Bafra villages besides other engagements.

Official negotiations on the Cyprus issue can start only after the recognition of the sovereign equality of the Turkish side, the Turkish Cypriot president said on June 26.

Ersin Tatar said he reiterated the necessity of acceptance of equal international status during a meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Following a statement regarding the 1996 murder of Kutlu Adalı, a prominent Turkish Cypriot journalist, Atilla Peker has been released with a judicial control measure on the charge of "helping to premeditated murder" by an Istanbul court to which he was referred to.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar condemned the Greek Cypriot terror organization, EOKA, said Turkish Cypriot sources on March 3.

Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar has said works are underway to change Varosha's military status to a civilian one, adding that the way for the return of real estates to their Greek owners will be paved.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Monday that the long-established federal formula is the only way forward in Cyprus reunification talks.

"Ending Turkish occupation and finding a viable solution are a fundamental Greek foreign policy priority," Mitsotakis said after a meeting with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Monday that the long-established federal formula is the only way forward in Cyprus reunification talks.

"Ending Turkish occupation and finding a viable solution are a fundamental Greek foreign policy priority," Mitsotakis said after a meeting with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia.

Ahead of the informal five-party conference on the Cyprus issue early next month, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stressed Tuesday that the most important issue is the way in which the island's natural resources are shared, unveiling Ankara's ultimate goals in the region.