Arıklı: Turkey’s Intervention in UBP Congress is "Normal"

Speaking on Gündem Kıbrıs Web TV with Editor-in-Chief Çiğdem Aydın, Arıklı commented on the "warnings" given to the candidates in the National Unity Party (UBP) leadership race. He asserted that if Ünal Üstel is not elected in the UBP Congress, the government will collapse.

Arıklı defended Turkey's stance, saying, "Turkey’s saying ‘we do not want instability in Cyprus until the presidential elections’ is normal." He elaborated:

“The current status quo in the TRNC is desired to continue. While doing this, Turkey can say to the influential figures, ‘we do not want instability in Cyprus until the presidential elections.’ This is entirely normal. They also know that if the government collapses, it will be very difficult to form a new one, leading to political instability. Turkey does not want this. Turkey wants the current government to continue. I do not know if Turkey has made any attempts in this regard, but if it has, it is normal. Why doesn’t Turkey do this with other parties? Because UBP is the party most often in government and has good relations with Turkey. Turkey has not intervened in our congresses, but developments within UBP concern Turkey. If there has been an intervention, it is quite normal in my view. I have told Turkish officials that if a new government is to be formed, I will not be a part of it. I cannot guarantee that."

Source: Yenidüzen