We are dismayed by the unwarranted claims against Turkey in the Joint Declaration published following the closure of Greece-Egypt-Greek Cypriot Administration trilateral summit meeting held on 10 October 2018, in Elounda, a city in the island of Crete, Greece.

In disregard of the atrocities committed by Greek Cypriots against the Turkish Cypriots between 1963-1974 in the Island, attributing the “Cyprus problem” to the Peace Operation carried out by Turkey in 1974 based on the rights stemming from 1960 Guarantee Agreement, is unacceptable.

Within this context, Turkey will resolutely continue to preserve its rights and interests emanating from the fact that Turkish Cypriots are co-owners of the Island.

Those who are taking steps in the region to the detriment of the legitimate rights and interests of the Republic of Turkey as well as Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and those who try to ignore Turkey in the region, will never achieve their goals.