Northern Cyprus PM Ünal Üstel thanks Turkish defence minister Güler

Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has thanked Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler for his remarks on the security, welfare, sovereign equality and equal international status of Turkish Cypriots. Güler made the remarks at a flag handover ceremony for the 2nd Amphibious Marine Infantry Brigade Command in İskenderun.

Üstel said the basis of any solution is the sovereign equality and equal international status of two states, and that there would be no step back from these principles. He said Turkish Cypriots are not a minority on the island but an equal people with sovereign rights, and that more than half a century of fruitless negotiations shows a lasting solution requires accepting existing realities.

Üstel also welcomed Güler's attention to Greek Cypriot attempts to obstruct Turkish Cypriots in sports, culture and the arts, and said the isolation must end. He called Türkiye's commitment under the Guarantee and Alliance Treaties the greatest assurance for Turkish Cypriots and thanked Güler, the Turkish Armed Forces and Türkiye.