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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan refuses to withdraw Turkish troops from Cyprus in order to get the most support from ultra-nationalists in the constitutional reform referendum, said the deputy co-chairman of the pro-Kurdish People's Democracy party (HDP) Hisar Ozoi speaking to Sputnik.'The issues of sovereignty, of security and guarantees are all issues on which nationalist sentiment is strong. Turkey is in a particularly complex process of reforming its constitution and establishing a presidential system. For this reason, President Erdogan needs the support of the Turkish ultranationalists, who criticize the possible compromises of the Turkish government in the Cyprus issue', Ozoy explained. On Friday, Erdogan said Turkish soldiers would remain on’ indefinitely in Cyprus and that there is no discussion about their removal. On the same day, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu pointed out that Ankara is against the European Union's guarantor role in Cyprus, as the bloc has proven unable to ensure security on the island and compliance with a reunification agreement.'It is possible that the Turkish side will try to buy more time and not take a clear position until the referendum is held. Otherwise, the government may lose the support of the ultranationalists', Ozoi explained.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan refuses to withdraw Turkish troops from Cyprus in order to get the most support from ultra-nationalists in the constitutional reform referendum, said the deputy co-chairman of the pro-Kurdish People's Democracy party (HDP) Hisar Ozoi speaking to Sputnik.'The issues of sovereignty, of security and guarantees are all issues on which nationalist sentiment is strong. Turkey is in a particularly complex process of reforming its constitution and establishing a presidential system. For this reason, President Erdogan needs the support of the Turkish ultranationalists, who criticize the possible compromises of the Turkish government in the Cyprus issue', Ozoy explained. On Friday, Erdogan said Turkish soldiers would remain on’ indefinitely in Cyprus and that there is no discussion about their removal. On the same day, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu pointed out that Ankara is against the European Union's guarantor role in Cyprus, as the bloc has proven unable to ensure security on the island and compliance with a reunification agreement.'It is possible that the Turkish side will try to buy more time and not take a clear position until the referendum is held. Otherwise, the government may lose the support of the ultranationalists', Ozoi explained.