The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) criticised the European Commission’s appointment of Executive Vice President Raffaele Fitto as its special representative for Cyprus, describing the move as unacceptable and biased.
In a statement on Monday, the TRNC Foreign Ministry said the appointment was made without the approval of the Turkish Cypriot side and ignored the will of Turkish Cypriots, calling it a "provocative step."
The ministry argued that the EU’s decision reflected what it described as a lack of neutrality in the Cyprus issue and said any future settlement must be built on equality between the two sides.
Nicosia urges EU to recognise Turkish Cypriot position
The TRNC Foreign Ministry said the European Union’s credibility on Cyprus had been weakened after the bloc admitted the Greek Cypriot administration as a member in 2004 while, according to the ministry, overlooking the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots.
It accused the EU and the Greek Cypriot side of attempting to create a fait accompli through unilateral steps, saying such efforts would not succeed.
The ministry said a lasting resolution to the Cyprus issue could only come through cooperation based on the "sovereign equality and equal international status" of the two sides on the island.
TRNC calls for removal of restrictions
The ministry urged the EU to lift restrictions on Turkish Cypriots as a step toward demonstrating neutrality and supporting the Cyprus peace process.
It said Turkish Cypriots would continue to reject EU actions that disregard their political status and will.
The Cyprus issue remains one of the longest-running disputes in Europe, with the island divided between the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot administration in the south and the TRNC in the north.
