Tatar angry over Greek F-16s at Independence parade, accuses Cyprus of displaying weapons
Source: in-cyprus.com
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has accused the Greek Cypriot side of pursuing a policy of “sovereignty and imposition”, commenting on statements made by President Nikos Christodoulides following the 1 October independence day parade in Nicosia.
In a statement from his “election” office, Tatar characterised the President’s remarks as an “open declaration of a mentality that has not changed for years”.
He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side’s objective is “to subjugate the Turkish Cypriot people and impose maximalist goals through force”.
Tatar referred to the participation of Greek military aircraft in the anniversary celebrations, stating that “whilst they speak of peace, they display their new weapons against our people”.
Two-state solution reiterated
The Turkish Cypriot leader emphasised that the path of Turkish Cypriots “is charted with their own state”, which, he said, is supported by Turkey. He invoked a recent statement from Turkey’s National Security Council, which he described as “the strongest response to Greek Cypriot and Greek threats”.
Tatar accused the Greek Cypriot side of “propaganda” and of “ignoring the Turkish Cypriot people and their state”. He repeated his position in favour of a two-state solution, noting that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been requesting international recognition of the breakaway state for four years.
“No one can deny the existence of two states, two peoples and two democracies in Cyprus,” he stated, adding that only by recognising this reality can “just and sustainable peace” be built.
Tatar warned that if the Greek Cypriot side continues with armament and its “policy of isolation”, then “all necessary measures” will be taken to protect Turkish Cypriots.
(information from CNA)
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