Üstel Warns Greek Cypriot Leadership: TRNC Is No Longer the Old TRNC

Speaking on developments in the Greek Cypriot administration (GCA), Üstel stated, “The TRNC is no longer the old TRNC. The Greek Cypriot leadership must take this into account in their calculations.”

He expressed concern over slogans chanted by Greek Cypriot soldiers asserting that Cyprus belongs to Greece, events glorifying the terrorist organization EOKA, and overstepping remarks by the Greek Ambassador and the leader of the racist ELAM party. “Our people are closely monitoring these incidents. The Greek Cypriot leadership must ensure its soldiers understand that Cyprus has never been Greece and never will be. The slogans they chant are nothing more than fantasies,” he said.

Üstel condemned an EOKA event organized by the party of the GCA Parliament Speaker, saying it not only undermined peace on the island but also demonstrated that Greek Cypriot youth are being raised with hostility toward Turks. “Forcing children to write ‘EOKA’ on their heads is proof of how the youth are being educated. This is shocking,” he said.

He also criticized the presence of Greek flags and slogans at events promoting claims that Cyprus belongs to Greece, warning that praising EOKA indicates that the Greek Cypriot leadership will never respect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Addressing statements by the Greek Ambassador to South Cyprus, Konstaninos Kollias, calling for the removal of Turkish troops and elimination of guarantees, Üstel said, “These remarks are outrageous. The Greek ambassador must understand that the Turkish presence on the island is permanent, and it is unthinkable for Turkey or Turkish troops to leave.”

Üstel highlighted that the Turkish Cypriot people owe their survival to Turkey, the guarantees, and the presence of Turkish troops, which also ensured freedom and peace for Greek Cypriots. He added that the statements by Christos Christou, leader of the increasingly popular racist ELAM party, claiming that “Turkish Cypriots are a minority,” cannot be ignored and that the potential consequences for the TRNC must be considered.

Concluding, Üstel emphasized the historic words of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: “Turkey is no longer the old Turkey. Everyone must make their calculations accordingly.” He said, “Thanks to our motherland, the TRNC is no longer the old TRNC. The Greek Cypriot leadership must act accordingly.”