IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu evaluated the Las Vegas attack occurred on the previous day, the incension occured in France and the statements of Former UK Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw on Cyprus:

“There has been deterioration in security environment lately in Western countries, too. Terrorist organisations arising from the conflict regions like Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria also hold fatal demonstrations in Western countries. Besides, we see that a terrorist, whose connections with a terrorist organisation have not been found yet, acted single-handed and performed the bloodiest terrorist attack in the USA. It is obvious that national security strategies have to be strengthened against this kind of threats. However, it is not possible to prevent these incidents without international collaboration and coordination. All countries must unite against the dangers of terrorism and armament.”

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu continued his speech as follows:

“It is understood that fire in France was an incident of incension. This attack, which caused the death of our 3 cognates, clearly reveals what kind of dangerous developments are triggered by the ever-increasing extreme right. Strengthening of these dangerous ideologies which are supported by xenophobia, migration and Islamophobia, enhances daring of deviant people. We also saw such an attack that intended human life in Solingen, Germany. It is essential for the leaders of the EU and Member States to adopt a strong manner against xenophobia, migration and Islamophobia to prevent this kind of attacks”.

The EU Left Cyprus Issue Unsettled

Lastly, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu touched upon the statement of the UK’s Former Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, on Cyprus Issue:

"Jack Straw served as the UK’s Foreign Secretary between 2001 and 2006.  His evaluations on Cyprus issue has been published. He stated that before finding a solution, giving  Greek Cypriot Administration the EU membership by considering it as the legitimate representative of the whole island was a strategic mistake. His idea completely matches with the view that we have been defending for many years. By initiating the membership of the Greek Cypriots, the EU missed opportunity to solve the Cyprus issue. The Greek Cypriots prevented further solution efforts and did not reach a compromise. Furthermore, by vetoing the opening of negotiation chapters, the Greek Cypriot Administration has harmed the relations between Turkey and the EU. Now, we have two options: the EU and other international actors could convince the Greek Cypriots for a federal solution on the Island or the international society accepts the existence of two separate states on the Island”.