Filenews 30 July 2022
The information that the Turkish Cypriot leadership is preparing to take "measures" for the UN Peacekeeping Force was made public by the "Minister of Foreign Affairs". Tahsin Ertuğruoğlu criticised the UN over the new resolution granting an extension to the work of the Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.
According to "Bayrak", Mr. Ertuğruoğlu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side cannot accept the extension of the mandate of the Peacekeeping Force based on the approval of the Republic of Cyprus, adding the following: "This mistake is not new. It is a mistake that has been made from the beginning, for years. The ground was prepared for the UNFICYP Peacekeeping Force on the island based on the theory that there is a central authority representing the entire island and its 'peoples'. This is where the essence of the Cyprus Problem lies."
The "foreign minister" also claimed that "the Peacekeeping Force, most of whose budget is covered by Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, is carrying out its duty as a biased force. The Peacekeeping Force does not serve as a neutral force on the island."
According to Mr. Ertuğruoğlu, along with the approval of the Turkish Cypriot side, the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side should be secured for the extension of the mandate of the Peacekeeping Force.
"We allowed them to serve on the territory of the 'tdvk' for years, showing hospitality with our goodwill. But this cannot continue like this anymore", said Mr. Ertuğruoğlu, who added the following: "We have stated very clearly that if we are ignored, we will be obliged to take some measures. Now we have reached this stage. When we pass on the measures we take to the United Nations, the public will also be informed. But the bottom line is this: the notion that the United Nations is carrying out service on the territory of the 'tdvk' with the approval of the Greek Cypriot side must disappear. If the UN Peacekeeping Force is to serve on the territory of the 'tdvk', it must have the approval of the 'tdvk', the Turkish Cypriot 'people'. I would like to stress the fact that we cannot continue as if nothing has happened."
CNA
