Ankara rejects the European Parliament resolution on the besieged city of Varos, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, which describes it as non-binding.
In its statement, the Turkish Foreign Minister states that "we completely reject the non-binding resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the European Parliament (EC) on our country and the TRNC. "We fully support the statement made by the TRNC on this issue. This decision, which was undoubtedly dictated by the Greek Cypriot administration, showed once again how isolated and biased the EP is in relation to the Cyprus issue. "If they maintain this approach and mentality, it is not possible for the EU institutions to make a constructive contribution to resolving the Cyprus issue."
The same statement states that "by making Turkish-EU relations hostage to the Cyprus problem, neither the general interest of the EU nor the settlement of the Cyprus problem nor the improvement of neighborhood relations is served". "We call on the EP and the EU to face the realities on the island of Cyprus, to take into account the presence of the Turkish people and to fulfill the commitments made by the EU to the Turkish Cypriots in April 2004. Turkey will continue "to resolutely protect both its own and the rights of the Turkish Cypriots without succumbing to any threats and blackmail, but at the same time will continue its efforts for dialogue and negotiations", the Turkish Foreign Minister concludes in his announcement.
Source: KYPE