ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan expressed his dissatisfaction with the physical intervention of United Nations peacekeepers during roadworks in the southern region of ethnically divided Cyprus last week. Erdogan made these statements after the conclusion of the weekly cabinet meeting.
Erdogan stated, “The physical intervention of U.N. Peacekeeping Force soldiers on the territory that falls under the sovereignty of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is never acceptable to us. It is neither legal nor humane to prevent Turkish Cypriots living in Pyla village from reaching their homeland.”
Conflict arose last Friday when scuffles arose between U.N. peacekeepers and Turkish Cypriot security personnel, as the peacekeepers attempted to halt roadworks in an area that the U.N. claims as part of a buffer zone under their jurisdiction.
Erdogan further affirmed that Turkey will continue to support the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a breakaway state that retains recognition solely from Ankara.
Turkish Cypriot authorities seek to construct a road that would provide direct access for residents of Pyla/Pile village in the buffer zone administered by the U.N. to Turkish Cypriot-controlled territory.
The Turkish Cypriot authorities argue that the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, also known as UNFICYP, exceeded their mandate. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar emphasized the importance of the road project.
Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun; editing by Jonathan Oatis
Credit: The Star : News Feed
