Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Wednesday said the comments made by the head of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman, who claimed that a theoretical scenario in which Turkey does not interfere in the internal affairs of the north “would effectively mean handing it over to Greek Cypriots”, are just an effort to divert attention.
According to Turkish Cypriot media outlet Kibris Postasi, Tatar, however, added that it would not be appropriate for him to further comment on the matter and that he also understood Erhürman’s positions.
“It is not right for me to talk about such an issue,” he said, adding that “what Erhürman wants to say is that Turkey must always stand by the Turkish Cypriots. I think that’s what he said.”
Tatar also said that large sums of money flowing to the north in the form of Greek Cypriot and foreign investments “inevitably end up being used as means of propaganda”.
“Is there anyone who is not aware of this?” he quipped. “We are talking about a form of relationship that has existed for a very long time and will keep existing.
“Turkey and the north must always be side by side. We have a relationship that is sacred,” Tatar concluded.