Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, referring to the reception of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Republic of Cyprus, described the visit as “unacceptable,” arguing that it disregards the Turkish Cypriots. In a related statement, he expressed regret over the visit, citing the Turkish position regarding “two separate peoples and two separate states” in Cyprus.
The Turkish newspaper Sözcü highlights the reactions of Tufan Erhürman and “Deputy Foreign Minister” Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, who were in Ankara for the Summit of Turkic States.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Turkish article describes his visit and meeting with President Nicos Christodoulides as a “cold shower from Palestine,” criticizing the fact that the Palestinian leader did not visit the occupied territories.
The newspaper speaks of Palestine’s “ingratitude” toward Turkey, arguing that Ankara has for years provided the greatest support to the Palestinian struggle.
Under the headline “Abbas Ignored His Small Homeland and Visited Southern Cyprus”—as reported in the Republic of Cyprus—Sozcu criticizes the October 29 meeting, noting that the Palestinian President met with Nicos Christodoulides, whom it portrays as a supporter of Israel.
Special mention is made of the Abbas–Christodoulides agreement to strengthen bilateral relations and activate the “Amalthea” maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza.
According to Sozcu, the Republic of Cyprus, which maintains good relations with Israel, has secured the support of the EU and the U.S. for the humanitarian aid corridor.
The newspaper further claims that Nicosia has managed to establish diplomatic ties with Palestine, following the example of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, which maintain diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cyprus.
At the same time, he recalls that Mahmoud Abbas was welcomed in Ankara on August 12 with an official ceremony and a 21-gun salute, emphasizing the date of his meeting with President Christodoulides on October 29, Turkey’s National Day.
In a separate article, Sozcu also criticizes Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his references to the Turkey-Libya memorandum during the UN Security Council meeting on maritimesecurity, under the Greek presidency.
The newspaper describes the Greek Prime Minister’s statement—that the Turkey-Libya memorandum constitutes a “clear violation” of international maritime law—as an “arrogant accusation against Turkey.”
Source: KYPE
