Turkish deputy PM: Turkish Cypriots not to give up political equality

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said nobody should expect Turkish Cypriots to give up political equality. Speaking at the 39th anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operation and July 20th Peace and Freedom Festival ceremony in Lefkosa, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Atalay said, "Turkey and TRNC have put effort sincerely for just and sustainable peace in the island until now. To belive that Turks would accept living in minority status is a vain hope." Atalay added that the solution would be reached within the scope of the realities of the island, therefore nobody should expect Turkish Cypriots to give up their political equality. Atalay also said that it was the Greek Cypriot side's negative position which stalled the peace negotiations, adding that inaction of Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasides also vanished hopes for solution. "Greek Cypriot side should focus on negotiations, instead of leaving the table," said Atalay, and continued, "If they insist on using the sources in the south unilaterally, two-state solution may also prevail." -TRNC President Dervis Eroglu- Eroglu also called on the Greek Cypriots to be aware of the realities and sit on the negotiation table. Eroglu said, "There are two different states with two religions, languages and nations," and declared that Turkish Cypriots would go on administrating themselves after a solution was found. Eroglu said nobody had the right to bring restrictions to one another's air and sea ports, right to travel with its state's passport or identity, and blamed the UN and EU of not having adequate will to solve the problem.