We should discuss how to have a two-state solution in Cyprus, Turkish Defence Minister Houloussi Akar said, claiming that there is no point in continuing the negotiations. He also reiterated Tayyip Erdogan's phrase about Greece, "we are not joking."
In an interview with Turkish TV channel Haber Global, H. Akar said that "since 1974 Cyprus has been living in peace" and argued that "there is no point in continuing negotiations on the Cyprus problem."
Now, he claimed, "the solution is two equal sovereign states. We have to discuss how to do this," adding that "if they try to create a fait accompli, their efforts will be in vain."
Asked about the eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish PMO said that "when it is the turn and time of the Mediterranean, the relevant minister will go and do the relevant work there."
On Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' speech to Congress on F-16s, Houloussi Akar said: "Now everyone is going to quit their jobs and deal with what Mitsotakis says in Congress? Okay, they may have their opinions, but the US Congress as an independent, sovereign Congress of a state, we believe that it will make the right decision after doing its global assessments, taking into account its relations with Turkey, the interests of the American people. And it is not at all as Mitsotakis said."
He further argued that Turkey is determined to live in peace and prosperity with its neighbors. "This is our goal. However, in Greece - and we should not blame the Greek people - some specific individuals for their own personal interests, for reasons of internal consumption tend to use the tension with Turkey. There is no other explanation. They need to get rid of this love of armaments, of alliances. It is doing great harm to the Greek people.
A country that has a 439 billion euro debt, he continued, must be careful. "I'm not saying it, Greeks who are sensible say it. Unfortunately, these people are continuing the tension with Turkey. It is not possible to get anywhere with them. We are absolutely right. And despite their violations we say come and talk and find a peaceful solution," he said.
Leaving serious points against Greece, the Turkish PMO said that "if the other side, instead of seeking a solution through peaceful means, tries to get somewhere with lies, with distortions, if with pictures they have taken years ago, with photos of exercises and present them as if they were today and with false broadcasts as if Turkey would invade the islands and insult the Greek people, try to get somewhere, we say you can't get anywhere. Nowhere. It is not possible."
He said again about Kastelorizo: "You for an island of 10 square kilometers, 1050 meters away from Turkey and 600 kilometers away from Greece are asking for an EEZ of 40 square kilometers and you expect the Turkish side to accept this. We must not fall into a comical situation here, we must not lose our sanity."
Continuing, the Turkish FM said, "We say peace, peace, peace but no one should take this as a weakness. We will not allow the violation of our rights, we will not allow any fait accompli. We have said it over and over again. And this is what the President has said: We are not joking."
Source: CNA
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