TRNC Prime Minister Üstel: "The world should not forget, it can never ignore the Turkish Cypriots"

TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel stated that the participation of Türkiye's four major football clubs in the Friendship Cup held in TRNC is an important example of solidarity against the obstacles against the Turkish Cypriot people. Speaking at the organization held in Nicosia Atatürk Stadium, Üstel expressed his satisfaction in hosting the young football players of Türkiye's four biggest clubs Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor in TRNC.

Stating that sports had an important place in the struggle for existence of the Turkish Cypriot people from the 1950s to 1974, Üstel emphasized that Türkiye supported the Turkish Cypriot people in every field during this process.

"We regained our freedom, but we again faced the embargoes imposed on sports by the Southern Greek Cypriot side."

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people gained freedom with the Peace Operation of July 20, 1974, Üstel said, "We gained our freedom, but we were again faced with the embargoes imposed on sports by the Southern Greek Cypriot side."

Stating that Turkish Cypriot athletes have been struggling with various obstacles for years to participate in international organizations, Üstel noted that sports federations and young people are trying to take part in international competitions with individual initiatives. Üstel stated that Turkish Cypriot athletes carry the excitement and enthusiasm of the Turkish Cypriot people to the world by participating in international competitions within the national teams of the Republic of Turkey.

"Next to the Turkish Cypriots, there is our homeland, the Republic of Türkiye"

Referring to the fact that the planned organization of the Barcelona football academy in TRNC could not be held as a result of the initiatives of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Üstel said that the development victimized the Turkish Cypriot children. Stating that they contacted the Vice President of the Republic of Turkey Cevdet Yılmaz and the Ministry of Youth and Sports following the development, Üstel explained that the organization was implemented with the support of Türkiye's four major football clubs. Prime Minister Üstel reiterated his words, "Europe and the world can impose an embargo, but the world should never forget that it can never ignore the Turkish Cypriots" and said, "Next to the Turkish Cypriots is our motherland, the Republic of Turkey."

"Today we are experiencing one of those historic days"