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Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Unal Ustel condemned what he called systematic pressure by the Greek Cypriot Administration targeting Turkish Cypriots’ international contacts, economy, institutions and sovereign rights.
Ustel cited pressure over an international music event planned in Girne, attempts to prevent TRNC Presidential Undersecretary Mehmet Dana from meeting foreign diplomats, claims involving Maras, Magusa and Girne, and pressure surrounding the Immovable Property Commission.
“Those who think these actions will make us give up our rights, sovereignty and state are gravely mistaken. This will never happen,” he said.
Ustel accused the Greek Cypriot side of speaking about federation, reunification and confidence-building while trying to restrict Turkish Cypriots’ international contacts and activities.
“No one can dictate to the Turkish Cypriot people whom they can meet, which country’s representative they can contact or what international event they can organize in their own country,” he said.
He said Turkish Cypriots would not accept isolation and would continue defending their state, rights and sovereignty.
Ustel said the Immovable Property Commission was established by the Turkish Cypriot side with international approval and could not be weakened through political pressure.
He said the Greek Cypriot Administration had no right to decide how TRNC institutions operate, nor could it use property disputes to pressure Turkish Cypriots economically, discourage investment, or hinder development.
Ustel also said Türkiye's guarantor role and the presence of Turkish troops on the island could not be treated as bargaining chips when it came to Turkish Cypriot security.
He said the Turkish Cypriot side supported dialogue and cooperation, but not at the expense of its rights, sovereignty or state.
“You cannot build a partnership by cutting us off from the world,” Ustel said. “And most importantly, you cannot build a future in Cyprus by ignoring the Turkish Cypriot people.”
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