Local politicians protest Ankara’s interference in Turkish Cypriot interior, democracy and administration without respecting their will
Messages of “determination” and “peace in Cyprus and around the world in the best possible way” will be addressed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a two-day visit to the northern part of the island, which begins today. He will take part in the celebrations for July 20, the Day of Peace and Freedom.
21 cannon salutes this morning mark the beginning of the celebrations in Northern Cyprus on the 47th anniversary of the Turkish invasion, which led to the ongoing division of the island. For Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, it is a “peace operation” and the day it began, July 20, is celebrated in the northern part of the island as a “Day of Peace and Freedom.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan arrived this afternoon with a very large delegation to take part in the numerous festive events.
Today and tomorrow he will give two big speeches and, as he said earlier, will convey “good news” with them.
New decisions on the creation of two states on the island, on the sovereignty and independence of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and on its diplomatic recognition are among the most important messages Erdogan is expected to make.
Ankara’s next steps to reopen the ghost town of Varosha, inviting Greek Cypriots to return home, are also on the agenda.
Statements are also expected on the establishment of a Turkish naval base and the permanent deployment of Turkish drones with or without weapons at the island’s air base.
Boycott by local politicians
For the first time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be boycotted in northern Cyprus by Turkish Cypriot politicians. Thus, they are protesting against Ankara’s interference in the internal affairs, democracy and administration of the Turkish Cypriots without respecting their will.
Two left-wing Cypriot-Turkish parties, the largest opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Social Democratic Party (TDP), have announced that their lawmakers will not enter the hall during Erdogan’s first address at a special session. the so-called parliament in northern Cyprus today.
Former Turkish Cypriot leaders Mustafa Akanci and Mehmet Ali Talat will also not attend the speech.
With this move, the two parties are protesting against Ankara’s continued interference in the political will of the Turkish Cypriot community and attacks on its democracy. This hinders the integration of Turkish Cypriots into the international community and reinforces the notion that the north is “under Turkish administration”, according to party boycott decisions.
In addition, the two parties and the two former leaders, Akanci and Talat, are supporters of the federal reunification of Cyprus, contrary to Turkey’s policy of two sovereign states.
“The Cyprus issue is a national cause for Turkey,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
The Turkish head of state arrived on a visit to Cyprus, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the airport in Nicosia. He addressed the parliament of the Turkish part of the country.
At the airport he was greeted by a large group of people. The Cyprus issue has been identified as a national cause for Turkey.
Erdogan acknowledged that some US officials were unhappy with his behavior. According to him, the topic should not be considered from the point of view of various lobbies in the United States.
Erdogan has said his country has good will on the issue, but the Cyprus issue is far from resolved.
He reiterated his position on two countries. Greece is expected to respond to talks on the issue.
