Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu: “According to international law, TRNC meets all the conditions of being a state.”
Republic of Turkey Ambassador to Nicosia Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu made comprehensive evaluations for the first time since he took office in the TRNC in October 2022, at the conference titled “Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean” held at the Near East University. The conference, held within the scope of “Diplomacy and Foreign Policy Conferences”, a special event series of the Near East Institute, was held with wide participation at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center at the Near East University Faculty of Health Sciences.
The conference, attended by academics, students and many guests, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu and Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ also followed the conference.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çıraklı, Director of the Near East Institute, who moderated the conference, also made the opening speech. Stating that they are happy to host Nicosia Ambassador Prof. Dr. Feyzioğlu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çıraklı said, “The Near East Institute has been advancing with a mission that aims to conduct multi-dimensional scientific studies on foreign policy and international relations and contribute to policy-making processes since 2013. On these special days, which coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we aim to raise awareness in our country and evaluate these important periods from a broad perspective.”
The Century of Diplomacy Photography Exhibition was presented to the participants
After the opening speech, Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu shared his views on diplomatic and geopolitical processes centered on the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus with the participants. Prof. Dr. Feyzioğlu stated that this was the first time he gave a conference on this subject after taking office as Ambassador in the TRNC. Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu emphasized the inseparable unity of the TRNC and Turkey. After the conference, the question-answer session began. Nicosia Ambassador Prof. Dr. Feyzioğlu answered the questions of academicians and students. In the question-answer section of the conference, TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu also contributed by answering some questions.
The conference ended with a plaque of appreciation presented to Feyzioğlu. Afterwards, the “Century of Diplomacy Photography Exhibition” prepared by the Nicosia Embassy within the scope of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Republic of Turkey was presented to the participants.
At the conference, the Republic of Turkey Ambassador to Nicosia Prof. Dr. Feyzioğlu emphasized the indissoluble integrity of Cyprus and Turkey. Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu made a comprehensive evaluation of the diplomatic and geopolitical processes affecting the geography of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus from past to present. Prof. Dr. Feyzioğlu stated that he gave a conference on this subject for the first time after taking office as Ambassador in the TRNC. Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu started his speech by saying, “Turkey does not have a Cyprus issue. Turkey has a Cyprus case. It is a case to which we dedicate our existence and place it at the center of our foreign policy. For us, Cyprus is our national case that we will follow until the end and never give up.”
Prof. Dr. Feyzioğlu stated that, according to international law, TRNC meets all the conditions of being a state. Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu said, “There has never been a nation called Cypriots on this island. There are Greek people and Turkish people on this island. That’s why the two-people federation model came into life in 1960. There is no obstacle for the Turkish Cypriot people and the Greek Cypriot people to cooperate and trade peacefully with each other under the umbrella of two separate states. Turkish Cypriots did not destroy the 1960 Republic, the Greek Cypriots usurped it.”
Stating that there has been peace on the island of Cyprus since 1974, Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu emphasized that the European Union accepts Southern Cyprus as the representative of the island, therefore it actually reduces the possibility of a logical unification on the island. Emphasizing that Turkey and the TRNC always display a constructive stance, Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu said, “What the Greeks oppose is the Turks owning a state. They are trying to make the Turkish Cypriots a minority among themselves by overwhelming them with embargoes.” Stating that the constructive attitude of Turkey and the TRNC is also exhibited in oil and natural gas studies in the Eastern Mediterranean, Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu emphasized that no constructive steps have been taken to ensure that the rights of the Turkish Cypriots are delivered or recognized.
Referring to the recent events in Pile, Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu said, “They are even against the construction of a road that will be used for humanitarian purposes. However, TRNC is determined, that road will be built. We are faced with a racist approach.”
Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu continued his speech by saying, “Rauf Raif Denktaş, the founder of the TRNC state, said in his will to protect your state. This will is a legacy left not only to the Turkish Cypriots, but also to the Republic of Turkey.” He ended with the words by saying “The Turkish nation will be protected as the TRNC and Turkey.”