We will make efforts to open more representation abroad and increase the number of countries that recongnises the TRNC - Turkish Foreign Minister

The isolations on the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus must end while all efforts is made towards opening more representation offices abroad and increasing the number of countries in which the TRNC passport will be valid, said, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Monday.

There is no need to pass a new resolution in parliament calling for the international recognition of the TRNC but we shall be focusing our efforts towards opening more representation offices abroad and increasing the number of countries in which the TRNC passport will be valid, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

The isolations on the TRNC must end, he added.

The minister made the remarks when speaking during 2018 budget presentation at the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Speaking on the work carried out on the Cyprus issue, Çavuşoğlu stressed that Turkey was not responsible for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem.

He stated that the Cyprus problem remained unresolved despite all efforts, adding that Turkey should not be blamed for this and that a solution could not be reached because the Greek Cypriot side was reluctant to share governance, power and economy with the Turks.

We have come to a conclusion that we cannot reach a solution with these parameters. Therefore, we agreed with the TRNC on which steps we will be taking and what we will do from now on, he said.

Now, there are elections both in the North and the South. There is no meaning of discussing this issue before the elections. This issue cannot be exploited for election purposes as it is our national cause. As a result we shall be assessing and deciding on the steps forward after the elections”, he said.

Çavuşoğlu said that efforts in the period ahead will be concentrated on further promoting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

He also blamed the EU for failing to keep its promises.