Turkey is Cyprus’ guarantee: Turkish Cypriot president

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkey is the sole guarantor for the security of long-divided Cyprus if an agreement is reached to reunite the island, said the Turkish Cypriot president Sunday.

“In a formula that will be found … we want an island where the effective assurance of Turkey will continue, [and we will] live in equality, freedom and security,” Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mustafa Akinci told reporters at a ceremony commemorating Fazil Kucuk, the country's first vice president, who died 33 years ago today.

Earlier this week, Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders as well as the foreign ministers of the island’s guarantor countries – Turkey, Greece, and the United Kingdom – joined an international conference on Cyprus’ possible reunification.

On Friday, Akinci said the map submitted by Greek Cypriots to the UN was unacceptable and the Turkish Cypriots will not sign any deal that fails to include a rotating presidency.

Akinci added that the Turkish Cypriots want to see the continuation of the security and guarantees provided by Turkey.

Thousands of Turkish troops stationed on Cyprus were originally deployed there to protect Turkish Cypriots from ethnic violence in the wake of a 1974 Greek military coup.

On Sunday, Akinci said that negotiations have not yet ended and will continue with technical and high-level talks in the coming days.

*Reporting by Murat Demirci; Writing by Handan Kazanci