Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun on Friday said the Turkish Cypriot government was committed to go ahead with an austerity plan which had drawn fierce criticism in the northern part of the island.
"This is not a plan imposed on us by Turkey. We need to take our own measures. Our government is determined to carry out the economic reform program. The important thing is to maintain a sustainable framework and social welfare," Ozgurgun told reporters in a press meeting in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
The austerity plan was protested by some Turkish Cypriots in several rallies which had also seen anti-Turkey demonstrations and slogans.
"We have frozen salaries for this year. The next 10-15 years will see a huge economic peril if we fail to implement the economic program," Ozgurgun said.
Ozgurgun said the ruling National Unity Party (UBP) was ready to face any consequences including loss of some its electoral support.
"This may cost us a deal but we will not get less than 25 percent of the votes in a general election. No other party cannot handle this program," he said.