Özersay is fed up with the condemnations
People’s Party (HP) Chairman Kudret Özersay has criticized the approach of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) towards the Greek Cypriot administration’s actions that target TRNC tourism.
In a post on his personal social media account, Özersay highlighted the importance of taking proactive measures rather than engaging in a cycle of mutual blame.
Kudret Özersay stated the following:
“In response to the Greek side’s efforts to undermine our tourism, we should focus on finding common ground and implementing precautions, rather than turning this issue into a domestic political tool and engaging in a blame game by saying, ‘It happened because of you.’
We are all well aware that the Greek Cypriot side has consistently pursued this policy to varying degrees over time. They have arrested ship captains arriving at our ports during federal negotiation periods, during times when the two-state thesis was proposed, during active negotiations, and even when negotiations have stalled.
They have issued European arrest warrants against those purchasing goods or investing in the north, taken legal actions against them on the Greek side, and brought cases to the European Court of Human Rights. Moreover, they have prevented Turkish Cypriots from participating in international sports, cultural, or union events abroad.
Therefore, as Muhtar Ömer Merakli rightly emphasized, our societal response to the Greek side’s recent actions concerning tourism should not be mere reactionary statements, but rather the implementation of precautions. If the series of condemnations and reaction statements are concluded, wouldn’t it benefit our country more to sit down, discuss actionable strategies, and start taking concrete steps?”
