Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has continued his provocative rhetoric following his return from the occupied territories of Cyprus, where he attended celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion.
In his latest comments, Erdoğan targeted Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
Speaking to journalists during his flight back to Ankara, Erdoğan described Dendias’ characterisation of Turks as “occupiers” as “incredibly audacious.” He called on Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to rein in his foreign minister, deliberately ignoring Athens’ declaration that Greece’s positions on the Cyprus issue are unified.
Erdoğan also urged restraint to avoid escalating tensions in Cyprus, pointedly adding, “Complicity in massacres in Israel would serve neither the Greek Cypriots nor Greece.”
Furthermore, Erdoğan stated that Turkey would not hesitate to construct naval bases or other maritime structures in “Northern Cyprus,” as he referred to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. “We, too, have a coastline,” he remarked.
“Mitsotakis Should Put Him in His Place”
According to Sabah, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan remarked: “I spoke with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the last NATO Summit. I told him, ‘I will be in Northern Cyprus [i.e., the occupied territories] on that day and will address the people of Northern Cyprus. I understand you will be in the South and will make an address from there. I suppose we will not make statements that would annoy each other.’ He said he thought the same as me. However, unfortunately, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, in a different atmosphere and ignoring my meeting with Mitsotakis, made such statements. There could not be a more tactless and audacious statement than to say that ‘the Turks are an occupying force there.’ Therefore, Mr. Mitsotakis needs to put this minister in his place. There is no need to discuss further. We have already talked about everything we needed to. We continue on our path.”
Simultaneously, the Turkish president reiterated his stance on the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, referring to it as a peace operation.
Erdoğan’s Comments on Greek Relations and the Cyprus Issue
“From time to time, we see populist figures in Greece attempting to undermine relations between the two countries with such rhetoric. We want to develop our relations with Greece based on good neighborly understanding. Of course, this does not require us to remain silent in the face of such nonsense. As everyone knows very well, Turkey conducted the ‘Peace Operation in Cyprus’ for peace, as its name suggests, and peace was established as a result of this intervention. At that time, Turkey carried out this operation to put a clear and decisive end to the genocide initiated both by the Greek Cypriot side and the coup plotters in Greece.”
On the Cyprus Issue
At the same time, the Turkish president asserted that there would be no resumption of talks on the Cyprus issue unless the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized. “Honestly, we do not see the possibility of starting a new negotiation process in Cyprus without establishing an equation where both sides sit at the table as equals and leave as equals,” he stated.
He also insisted on a two-state solution.
“The Cyprus issue is not only ours but also the red line of 85 million people. This must be understood once and for all. No one has the luxury to view and present the Turkish Cypriot people, the essential element of the island, as a minority. We confirmed this during our visit today. It is becoming clearer by the day that the two-state model is the only solution to the Cyprus issue. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people have made every sacrifice on the path to a solution,” he said.
“We Will Build Naval Bases If Necessary”
Erdoğan also claimed that “if necessary, Turkey will construct naval bases and maritime infrastructure in Northern Cyprus,” adding pointedly, “complicity in massacres in Israel would serve neither the Greek Cypriots nor Greece.”
He specifically stated: “It is essential to carefully avoid steps that will never contribute to the island’s peace, will increase tensions, and will lead to violations of international law. Being a party to the massacre in Israel will not benefit either the Greeks or Greece. Furthermore, if needed, we can build naval bases and maritime structures in the North. We, too, have a coastline.”
