Turkey rejects European Parliament resolution on Cyprus

Turkey on Nov. 27 rejected a "non-binding" resolution by the European Parliament against Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the Varosha and Cyprus issues.

"We completely reject the non-binding resolution adopted by the MEPs on our country and the TRNC," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy in a statement.

Underlining that Turkey fully supports the statement made by the TRNC Presidency on this issue, Aksoy said: "This decision, which is undoubtedly dictated by the Greek Cypriot Administration, once again demonstrates how disconnected from reality and prejudiced the EP is on the Cyprus issue."

Aksoy added that if the European Parliament maintains this approach and mentality, it is not possible for European Union bodies to make a constructive contribution to the solution of the Cyprus issue.

Turkey calls on the EP and EU to face the realities on the island and take into account the presence of the Turkish Cypriot people as well as fulfill the EU commitments made in April 2004 to Turkish Cypriots, he stressed.

He noted that Turkey will continue to protect both its own rights and those of Turkish Cypriots, adding at the same time, Turkey will continue its efforts for dialogue and negotiations.

The EP asked Turkey to reverse its decision to re-open part of Varosha and resume negotiations aimed at resolving the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation.

It also called on the EU to impose sanctions against Turkey.

The TRNC slammed the resolution.

"This resolution demonstrates that the EP has once again ignored the Turkish Cypriot people and continues to blame Turkey in an unfair way," the TRNC presidency said in a statement.

"If the EU wants to...