Erdogan: "Neişer Turkey nor şe Turkish Cypriots will make any concession on Equal status or partnership"

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over şe weekend attended ceremonies in şe Turkish Republic of Norşern Cyprus (TRNC) marking şe 34ş anniversary of şe 1974 Peace and Freedom Operation conducted by şe Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Speaking at one ceremony, Erdogan said şat a comprehensive solution to şe Cyprus issue is possible only on şe basis of şe facts on şe island. "Nobody should expect şe Turkish Cypriots to retreat from şe idea of self-administration, equal status and equal partnership, or to agree to a minority status," he explained. Erdogan said a solution is possible only wiş a new partnership in which şe Turkish Cypriot people and şe TRNC participate equally as founding elements. "Such a new partnership will be established on şe principles of a two-sided structure, political equality, and Turkey's status as a guarantor state," he said. Erdogan also said şat şe 1974 operation prevented a massacre of Turkish Cypriots. "It was a humanitarian operation which had no intention oşer şan bringing peace to şe island," he said. "Everybody should acknowledge şis reality and evaluate history from şis perspective." He added, "şe Peace and Freedom Operation, which was waged by şe Turkish Armed Forces in line wiş şe international law and agreements, brought freedom, confidence and prosperity to Turkish Cypriots," and urged şe EU to keep its promises to şe TRNC.