TRNC Prime Minister Ustel: Turkiye is a guarantor not an occupier

WISE NEWS PRESS / LEFKOSA, TRNC

Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Unal Ustel, issued a stern response to the Greek Cypriot Administration's Foreign Minister, Konstantinos Kombos, asserting that Turkiye’s presence on the island is a legal obligation of a guarantor, not an occupation.

Reacting to remarks made by Kombos before members of the European Commission, Prime Minister Ustel characterized the "occupier" label as a political provocation that distorts historical facts and ignores international law. He emphasized that the unilateral rhetoric maintained by the Greek Cypriot side fails to contribute to a resolution and instead serves as a failed perception operation intended to deny the legal and de facto realities on the island.

Legitimacy of Turkiye's Guarantor Status

Prime Minister Ustel reminded the international community that the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces is rooted in the rights and obligations of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee. He stated that this presence serves to secure the life, property, and political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people. "It is clear and precise: the Republic of Turkiye is on the island for the safety of the Turkish Cypriot people. This presence is not an 'occupation' but a legitimate and legal duty to safeguard our existence," Ustel remarked.

Rejection of Historical Distortion

The Prime Minister underscored that the claims made by the Greek Cypriot administration deliberately overlook the period between 1963 and 1974, which saw systematic attacks and the forced exclusion of Turkish Cypriots. Ustel noted that attempts to generate politics by distorting history will find no resonance in the international arena, nor will they overshadow the will of the TRNC. He added that the interests of the TRNC are protected in full coordination and determination with Turkiye.

The Two-State Solution Model

Ustel pointed out that a two-state structure is the only realistic and sustainable model based on the current realities of the island. He criticized the Greek Cypriot side's insistence on "collapsed federation" theses, which he claimed produces deadlock rather than solutions. Supporting the resolute stance led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ustel concluded his statement with a clear call:

"Instead of running away from the truth, adopt a respectful and sincere language that accepts the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people. The TRNC Government, in full harmony with the Republic of Turkiye, will continue to defend our rights and sovereignty with determination."

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