16 October 2017•Update: 17 October 2017
By Murat Demirci
LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
The Greek Cypriot House of Representatives’ resolution seeking withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island is invalid and unilateral, said presidential spokesman for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The statement comes a few days after the House adopted a resolution seeking cancellation of the Treaty of Guarantee and the complete withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island.
Baris Burcu emphasized that the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee and Alliance is a multi-lateral international treaty.
"These treaties can only be changed or removed by the consent and approval of all signatories. Therefore the decision, which the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives took unilaterally, is just for this reason declared null and void," he said.
According to the treaty, Turkey, Greece and the U.K. are named as the guarantor countries of the island’s two communities -- Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
Burcu recalled that the Greek Cypriot administration’s “negative attitude” caused the Cyprus Conference in Crans Montana to collapse.
He said the Greek Cypriots acted against the basic principles of the negotiation process.
