KE on Erdoğan's statements: "Condemnable, unacceptable and provocative"

Erdogan's unacceptable statements once again prove the self-evident, that anachronistic guarantees do not fit in a modern, European state, said today the Government Spokesman Mr. Konstantinos Letympiotis.

In his statements to the journalists, at the Presidential Palace, the Spokesperson said that "the statements of the Turkish President yesterday are reprehensible, unacceptable and provocative.

For 50 years now, Cyprus, a full member state of the EU, has been under occupation since the barbaric invasion of 1974.

The inadmissibility of what was said and the timing chosen by President Erdoğan demonstrate the lack of respect for international law, the European acquis, the resolutions of the UN Security Council and for the Secretary General himself, whose personal envoy was just 24 hours ago in our country, with the task of creating conditions for the resumption of talks within the agreed framework.

The Turkish President chooses to send a message of division, effectively violating and ignoring the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Erdoğan's unacceptable statements once again prove the self-evident: anachronistic guarantees do not fit in a modern, European state. No state is meant to be a pawn of the appetites and expansionist moods of foreign states. This is what international law requires, this is what justice and logic demand.

As the Republic of Cyprus we will continue to put all our efforts into trying to restart the negotiations from the point where they have been interrupted with the aim of definitively solving the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, fully aligned and consistent with the resolutions of SA of the UN. This is our historical responsibility and our highest national priority."

Asked if the Government believes after Erdoğan's statements that there is still room for Mrs. Holgin's effort to be successful, the Spokesperson said that "Ms. Holgin's effort for us opens a new period in our efforts to restart negotiations.

The appointment of Ms. Holguin by the UN Secretary-General demonstrates the Secretary-General's commitment to efforts to restart negotiations.

We will not allow anyone to disorient us from this mission, that is, the resolution of the Cyprus problem within the agreed framework. The Cyprus issue will not be resolved through public statements, such statements from Turkey will not be tolerated or accepted.

What we wish and the call we once again address is for there to be a sincere intention and willingness to return to the negotiations within the agreed framework from the point where they have been interrupted in order to achieve a sustainable, definitive solution to the Cyprus issue that will benefit the whole of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, but also for our entire region".