Ankara/Nicosia, January 9,2026: Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ünal Üstel, has said that Turkish Cypriots will never relinquish their right to self-determination, criticizing what he described as longstanding injustice and double standards in the Cyprus issue.
In a statement, Üstel condemned the Greek Cypriot Administration’s assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union under the title of the “Republic of Cyprus,” saying it disregards the will of the Turkish Cypriots and ignores historical realities on the island. He described the move as the latest example of unfair treatment of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Calling on the international community, particularly the European Union, to confront its historical responsibilities, Üstel said a fair and lasting solution in Cyprus is only possible if the sovereignty, equality and security of both sides are guaranteed. “Any approach that disregards the Turkish Cypriot people will never succeed. The Turkish Cypriot people will never abandon their right to self-determination. This will is clear, firm and irreversible,” he said.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli also rejected language used in speeches delivered at an event held on January 7, 2026, marking the Greek Cypriot Administration’s assumption of the EU Council Presidency. He said terms such as “occupation,” “invasion” and “division” used in reference to Cyprus do not reflect historical or current realities.
Keçeli said the only “occupation” on the island resulted from the Greek Cypriot side’s takeover of the institutions of the 1960 partnership state in 1963, in violation of the constitution and the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people. He added that the stance of EU officials, which ignores the existence of Turkish Cypriots, once again exposes what he called the EU’s double standards on fundamental human values.
The spokesperson further criticized the Greek Cypriot Administration for, as he put it, abusing the EU Council Presidency from the outset to promote a distorted narrative and an intransigent position on the Cyprus issue. He said this conduct demonstrates why the European Union cannot be considered an impartial and constructive actor in efforts to resolve the Cyprus dispute.
