The informal EU council summit reflected a “biased and unfair” approach to the Cyprus problem, the north’s ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel claimed on Sunday, criticising the bloc’s position on regional developments and security cooperation.

In a statement, Ustel said the European Union had maintained the same stance “for years”, linking his criticism to recent initiatives by President Nikos Christodoulides, including efforts related to Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union.

He claimed the aim of the republic was “to involve Europe in its maximalist policies in the Eastern Mediterranean, to institutionalise the search for military protection and to create a political bloc against Turkey” as well as the north.

Ustel rejected claims that tensions in the region are being driven by Turkey or the north, saying “it is not Turkey or the Turkish Cypriot people who are escalating tensions”.

He argued instead that the republic itself has been “rapidly rearming in recent years”, concluding defence agreements and “turning the island into a hub of foreign military presence”.

A lasting solution, he said, depends on “the acceptance of today’s realities”, reiterating support for a two-state model with backing from Turkey.

“We will continue to formulate this policy at every step and reinforce it with concrete measures,” he affirmed, adding that “no one should believe that the Turkish Cypriot people will give in to pressure”.

He described the issue as “a struggle for sovereignty, security and a dignified future”, while maintaining that the EU “must understand these realities”.