TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has thanked Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler following remarks made at the 2nd Amphibious Marine Infantry Brigade Command Flag Handover Ceremony in İskenderun, where Güler reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to the security and sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people.
In a written statement, Üstel underlined that Turkish Cypriots are not a minority but an equal people with sovereign rights, and noted that decades of negotiations have failed to produce a settlement. "The foundation of any solution for us is the sovereign equality and equal international status of two states. There is no question of stepping back from these principles," he said.
Üstel also welcomed Güler's remarks drawing attention to Greek Cypriot attempts to exclude Turkish Cypriots from international sports, cultural, and arts events, calling for an end to what he described as inhumane isolation policies.
The Prime Minister stressed that Turkey's commitment under the Treaty of Guarantee and the Treaty of Alliance remains the greatest source of security for Turkish Cypriots, and pledged that the TRNC would continue to strengthen its statehood and defend its sovereign equality on the international stage in full solidarity with Turkey.
Üstel concluded his statement by saying that "the shared destiny of the motherland Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the strongest guarantee of our common future and security."
