TRNC's Kucuk: "99 percent of Turkish Cpriots are loyal to the motherland"

The number of Turkish Cypriots wishing to break away from Turkey is very low, said Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk yesterday. Speaking to reporters at a breakfast in Istanbul, Kucuk said, "Every society has a minority, but 99 percent of all Turkish Cypriots are loyal to the motherland, Turkey. We face certain difficulties as a country not recognized by the world, except by Turkey." Turkey helps the TRNC feel less difficulty through assistance, he said, adding, "We are in the process of establishing Turkish Cypriot Airlines. We look at developments in Turkey as examples and act accordingly."