Written statement of President Ersin Tatar on the irresponsible steps being taken by the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, which have the dangerous potential of making the Island of Cyprus a target
President Ersin Tatar issued a written statement on the unilateral and irresponsible steps taken by the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, which have the dangerous potential of making the Island of Cyprus a target.
The statement reads as follows:
“I am following with concern the irresponsible steps continuing to be taken by the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, which have the dangerous potential of making the Island of Cyprus a target.
Giving priority to his personal political reputation with an illusion of being a regional actor, the Greek Cypriot Leader, Mr. Christodoulides, is demonstrating an exemplary approach in his efforts of trying to be a party to the crime against humanity that Israel continues to commit daily through acts of genocide, that has been ongoing for about a year. In these circumstances, once again I regrettably condemn the unacceptable policies of the Greek Cypriot leadership.
As it will be remembered, I have repeatedly warned the Greek Cypriot leader to refrain from taking steps for his own political objectives that would dangerously create the potential of making the Island of Cyprus a target.
The same warnings have also been made to the parties involved in escalating tensions with the Greek Cypriot Administration, by the authorities of Motherland Türkiye, who have been putting forth arduous diplomatic efforts to ensure a permanent ceasefire between the conflicting parties in the Middle East.
We are continuing to follow the developments in the Middle East crisis with our security organisations and other relevant institutions and it is clear that with the political assassination carried out by Israel, the escalation of tensions have now reached boiling point.
The Island of Cyprus, geographically one of the closest to the centre of the violence, should at the very least maintain a neutral position so that the Peoples living on the Island can continue their lives without fear of the possibility of attack.
However, the Greek Cypriot leadership has preferred to take steps that have the dangerous potential of making our island a target, such as continuing to increase its armament activities with each passing day, conducting a military exercise last week, and becoming a party to the actions of Israel which has further expanded its attacks.
At this stage, Southern Cyprus has become a military stop for countries that have shown at every opportunity that they are party to the crisis and are complicit in the crimes against humanity, and they have even started to use civilian ports for military purposes.
The anchoring of the US aircraft carrier in Limassol, which is the most recent of these grave developments, has attracted significant reactions not only from us, but also from the Greek Cypriot people. In the latest public opinion polls on this issue, the Greek Cypriot public overwhelmingly showed their discomfort with the irresponsible steps taken by the Greek Cypriot leader, clearly stating their disapproval of him making the Island a potential target.
The Greek Cypriot leadership does not have the authority to take steps or make decisions on issues that have the potential to affect the entire island.
The jurisdiction of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus covers only the territory of Southern Cyprus, with the borders determined by the Cyprus Peace Operation that was undertaken 50 years ago.
The Greek Cypriot leadership, as in other matters, does not have the authority to make decisions affecting the security of the Turkish Cypriot People.
I would at this point like to make a call to the relevant States: Your engagements with the Greek Cypriot Side are not and will not be valid for the whole island.
The authority and sovereignty of the Greek Cypriot administration cannot pass even one centimetre beyond the border of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Following the creation of the international system, the global order, which remained a bystander to crimes against humanity due to political and strategic conflicts of interest, is losing its credibility at an increasing rate on each passing day. Due to those in competition with each other, who have in the name of allyship become a party to the crimes being committed, innocent and defenceless people, including women and children, are murdered every day in full sight of the world.
As the President of a People who have been subjected to massacres and attempted genocide, I want to make a fresh new call to the international community: Humanity must unite against this oppression. Supporting efforts to establish a permanent ceasefire instead of violence will be one of the most important contributions that can be made to humanity in order to put an immediate end to the bloodshed and tears."