Turkish Cypriots fighting for equality, justice for more than half century: Turkish president

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan

© APA | Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan

# 19 July 2021 19:27 (UTC +04:00)

The Turkish president on Monday reiterated his call to all parties who desire a just, lasting and sustainable future in Cyprus to seize the historic opportunity, APA reports.

“Turkish Cypriots have the equal international status and sovereign equality on the island of which they are equal partners,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a news conference ahead of his official visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The proposal presented by TRNC President Ersin Tatar at the informal talks in Geneva in April provided an opportunity to find a solution to the Cyprus dispute.

“In this way, the Turkish Cypriot side has once again shown to the world who is in favor of solution and who is profiting from the deadlock,” Erdogan said.

The unofficial first 5+1 meeting – with both sides of the island, guarantor countries Turkey, Greece, and the UK, and the UN – was held in Geneva on April 27-29.

He said that any new negotiation process in Cyprus can only be held between two equal and sovereign states.

“Turkish Cypriots have been fighting for equality and justice on the island for more than half a century,” Erdogan noted.

"It should not be forgotten that the TRNC is a state that stands on its own feet despite all kinds of difficulties. It is taking firm steps towards a prosperous future with its democratic tradition and developing economy," Erdogan added.

Erdogan stressed that Turkey and every member of Turkish society will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots.

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