Tahsin Ertugruloglu: UN lost neutrality in Cyprus, Security Council is the culprit.

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, answered questions from an AA correspondent regarding current developments in Northern Cyprus, including the Pail-Yigitler Road Project.

Ertugruloglu confirmed that the road construction is continuing and within days they will reach the area that came under scrutiny in August when UN peacekeeping troops tried to obstruct the construction. Ertugruloglu said he did not think the UN peacekeeping force would try to obstruct the work again and said: "It would be an extremely negative act and we would respectfully accept it, but there is no possibility that we will abandon the construction of the road. We will continue with the works. Return''we can't go back.".

Minister Ertugruloglu said the Paille-Yigitler road is a humanitarian project meant to ease the lives of Cyproturks living in Paille Village. He said: "Trying to obstruct this project is a disgrace to humanity and we will never allow it. The UN must also not overstep its authority and violate its mission, just as it has done in the past. "

Hertugruloglu emphasized that the UN peacekeeping force's actions regarding the Paille-Yigitler Road Project are wrong. He said: "During the Cyproturk genocide that took place between 1964 and 1974, UN troops did nothing to stop these terrible events. When they were asked about the causes, they said, 'Our job is to observe and report, not''direct intervention'. We are trying to make them think with the following question: Is our Paille-Yigitler road project a situation more severe than the genocide that took place between 1964 and 1974? Why are your soldiers, who are not responsible for this area, namely the British soldiers brought in from Lefkosha, allowed to drag themselves in front of our people, incite them, block the roads with concrete blocks and block the paths with barbed wire, creating unpleasant situations? "

Hertugruloglu expressed his displeasure over the UN Security Council statement which condemned the North Cypriot leadership over the Pyle-Yigitler Road Project.

Hertugruloglu pointed out that the Greek side is breaking the rules in Cyprus, including building roads in the divided zone, and yet the UN is silent and does not take obstruction measures. He said: "We are not violating the rights of anyone in this project and we know that the UN will remove any possible problems it may create by interfering or threatening to abandon the project. Everyone should understand that this road will be built. There is no reason for it''impede. There is no reason that can be recognized as valid or realistic. "

In conclusion, Ertugruloglu stressed that although there is no agreement between the government of Northern Cyprus and the UN, they view the presence of UN peacekeepers on the territory of Northern Cyprus favorably as a goodwill gesture. He said: "However, it has become inappropriate to talk about allowing the UN to operate in the territory of Northern Cyprus without the consent of the CTR, whether it is on the basis of authorization from the Greek side, which is only true for the southern part of Cyprus, or an agreement created with Turkish hospitality in mind. "