Yılmaz: Türkiye Stands by TRNC and Will Continue to Do So

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz evaluated recent regional developments during an appearance at Anadolu Agency’s (AA) Editor’s Desk at AAtölye.

Addressing the presence of military units from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Egypt at a recent military parade in South Cyprus, Yılmaz described the situation as deeply regrettable.

“With the 1974 Peace Operation, the Republic of Türkiye, as a guarantor power, brought peace and tranquility to Cyprus—not only for the Turkish side, but for the entire island,” Yılmaz said. “For more than half a century, there has been peace and security in Cyprus. This environment benefited the Greek Cypriot side just as much as it benefited the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), allowing both sides to develop their democracies and economic growth. Where there is no security, there can be neither democracy nor development. The entire island benefited from this process, and today Cyprus is in a far more prosperous and developed position compared to the past. The Greek Cypriot side, of course, exploited this process all the way through to European Union candidacy.”

Emphasizing that the actions of the Greek Cypriot administration jeopardize the security of the whole island, Yılmaz noted: “The Greek Cypriot side is collaborating with an administration that is currently on trial before international courts on charges of genocide. That is what they are doing right now—with the Israeli Netanyahu government. Anyone can foresee how a mindset that cooperates with an administration on trial for genocide might view the Turkish Cypriots tomorrow. Therefore, appearing on the international stage claiming, ‘We want a solution, we want peace,’ while embarking on adventures and building alliances that put the security of the entire island at risk is completely unacceptable. The Republic of Türkiye is strong; it stands by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and will continue to stand by it.”

Yılmaz emphasized that there is no cause for concern, concluding: “I want to state once again that the steps taken by the Greek Cypriot side bring no benefit to themselves or the island, but rather escalate security risks for all. We stand firmly with the Turkish Cypriots. We will continue to defend the presence of the Turkish Cypriots as a sovereign, equal state on the island.”