(WNAM Report): TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu strongly criticised Irfan Siddiq, the British High Commissioner to Southern Cyprus. The Minister noted that Siddiq, who not only exceeded the limits of diplomatic courtesy, but also made a habit of exceeding the limits of decency, started to perceive insulting the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot as a virtue.
Minister Ertugruloglu strongly reacted to Siddiq’s remarks and said, “Siddiq with his statements, is acting like a member of ELAM, more Greek Cypriot than a Greek Cypriot. Instead of following a well-balanced policy, he is endeavoring to look nice to the Greek Cypriot side”. Ertuğruloğlu pointed out that it was not possible for a diplomat who ignored the facts of the Cyprus issue to have any kind of contribution to the process, adding that blaming Turkish Cypriot people for not sharing the same ideas as them was not going to take them anywhere.
Quoting the Commissioner’s statement that claimed the two sides’ interest had not changed since both had shown interest in federation before, Ertugruloglu said, “This statement shows how distance he is to understand the issue.” He said the Greek Cypriot side, since being recognized as the sole representative of the Cyprus Republic had not been interested in the Federation.
He rejected any return to the federation model and asserted that the TRNC is a “reality” independent of Siddiq’s approval and will be recognized by other countries.
