Turkey "vital" for the TRNC, stresses turkish Cypriot lawmaker

Anti-Turkey protests in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) won't be able to break its ties with Turkey, which carry vital importance for Turkish Cyprus, said TRNC parliamentarian Serife Unverdi, heading a Turkish Cypriot delegation in Ankara yesterday. Unverdi, who chairs the TRNC Parliament's Law and Political Affairs Committee, told Turkey-TRNC Parliamentary Friendship Committee Chairman Zekeriya Aslan that Turkish Cypriots were set free with Turkey's help, adding that ties between the countries are based on fellowship, not pragmatism. "A few signs carried by a handful of people at a rally can't separate us from the mainland," she said. "We will fight the Greek Cypriot mindset. Turkey is vitally important for us." Aslan decried the anti-Turkey protests last month and said he hoped TRNC officials would take appropriate measures ahead of a planned March 2 rally. In the Jan. 28 demonstration to protest austerity measures, a group of Turkish Cypriots chanted anti-Turkey slogans, calling on Ankara not to interfere in their affairs. "Ankara, we don't want your money or austerity package," read some signs. Afterwards the Turkish government lashed out at the protesters.