Üstel says Turkish Cypriot sovereignty ‘is not up for debate’

“The Turkish Cypriot people have a state, they have a republic, and their sovereignty is not up for debate,” Mr Üstel said.

He said the declaration of the republic 43 years ago was the clearest expression of the Turkish Cypriot people’s determination to protect their freedom and sovereignty and decide their own future.

Mr Üstel said there were “two separate peoples, two separate democracies and two separate states” on the island. He blamed the failure of federation talks on what he described as the Greek Cypriot leadership’s refusal to accept Turkish Cypriot sovereign equality and its unwillingness to share the island’s resources fairly.

“We will not be part of any approach that seeks to relegate the Turkish Cypriot people to minority status,” he said, describing a two-state solution based on sovereign equality and equal international status as the most realistic and sustainable way forward.

He pointed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s calls at the United Nations for recognition of the TRNC, the Turkish parliament’s support for a two-state solution and growing ties with the Turkic world.

Turning to domestic affairs, Mr Üstel said cooperation with Türkiye had helped his government deliver investments in transport, healthcare, education, energy, agriculture and tourism. He said the government was also launching long-awaited reforms and completing unfinished projects.

Mr Üstel paid tribute to Turkish Cypriot leader Dr Fazıl Küçük, founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş, and those who lost their lives or served in the Turkish Cypriot struggle