Neither Turkey nor TRNC to give into Greek Cypriot threats, Turkish Cypriot premier

The prime minister of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday that neither Turkey nor TRNC would give into Greek Cypriot threats.
Releasing a written statement on the recent news stories claiming Turkey would open its ports to Greek Cypriots, TRNC’s Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk said Turkey’s opening its ports to Greek Cypriot ships had been an issue discussed for a while within the scope of the country’s negotiation process with the European Union (EU).
Kucuk said both EU and Turkish officials were working on some formulas to solve the matter.
"In this context, all the relevant parties know that Turkey and TRNC have a joint position on the issue which is not to open the ports to Greek Cypriot ships unilaterally. There has not been any developments in the talks Turkey has been holding with EU officials with such an understanding. Therefore, the recent news stories do not reflect reality," Kucuk said.
Kucuk also noted that TRNC wanted the problems blocking Turkey’s EU membership process to be solved in the shortest possible time.
"On the other hand, everybody should know that neither Turkey nor TRNC will give into Greek Cypriot threats. Interests of both countries will be protected in the best way," the prime minister added.