Kızılyürek Warns South Cyprus: Abandon the Mistake of Excluding Turkey

In an exclusive interview with Haravgi, the former AKEL MEP expressed concern over South Cyprus' policy of aligning itself with Israel as part of a broader effort to sideline Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Kızılyürek noted that the rapprochement between South Cyprus and Israel began in 2012 during Dimitris Christofias' presidency when Israel-Turkey relations were at their lowest point. This partnership expanded under Benjamin Netanyahu and Nikos Anastasiades, with numerous agreements being signed.

He further highlighted that during Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. began promoting a Greece-South Cyprus-Israel alliance, which was designed to isolate Turkey. Today, discussions about South Cyprus’ NATO membership continue, but the core focus remains its strategic alignment with Israel.

Kızılyürek expressed concern, saying, “The belief that we can exclude Turkey from the Eastern Mediterranean and energy developments is a dangerous delusion. This is a recipe for Cyprus' permanent division.”

He also stressed that this policy does not contribute to resolving the Cyprus issue, stating:
“Relations with Israel helped us at Crans Montana because Israel supported Turkey’s exclusion, but this was not a solution. For Israel, the participation of Turkish Cypriots in a federal government with equal political standing means that Turkey will play a role in the region. Israel does not want this. If this policy continues, we will face serious problems. AKEL’s recommendation to the President to review energy policies is the right approach. The key lies there, not in strengthening our position with Washington or elsewhere.”