Erhürman: "A Clear Demand for Change on the Streets!"

According to a statement from the CTP Press Office, Erhürman shared his views and responded to questions during a program hosted by Bahar Sancar on Gündem Kıbrıs Web TV.

Erhürman stated that the Greek Cypriot side has been complacent over the past four and a half years, stressing that a solution is urgently needed not only for Turkish Cypriots but also for Greek Cypriots and regional peace.

Regarding the informal 5+1 meeting expected to be held in Geneva on March 17-18, Erhürman said:

"We have not been given a definite date. So far, no invitation has been received. Political party leaders represented in parliament have always been invited in the past. There are reports in the press suggesting that Christodoulides will follow this tradition. This is also expected from our side."

Discussing the Cyprus issue, Erhürman noted:

"We are in a process. It started with statements such as 'I won't even have dinner' but continued with meetings on crossing points. Special representatives have also held discussions."

He pointed out that the world is currently facing various crises, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and developments in Gaza, and under such circumstances, the UN Secretary-General is convening a multilateral meeting.

"If there was no hope at all for the Cyprus issue, this time would not be allocated," Erhürman remarked, adding that the same applies to the guarantor countries.

"This is Not a Mere Formality"

Erhürman stated that the upcoming multilateral meeting should not be dismissed as a mere formality but cautioned against expecting it to immediately lead to an official negotiation process.

"I see that the UN and other parties want diplomacy to continue," he said.

He also pointed out that, despite the UN's recommendation for opening at least one new crossing point, no such step has been taken.

"Are we going to discuss Haspolat at a table where Guterres is present?" he asked, expressing disappointment over the lack of progress on even minor issues.

Erhürman stated that he expects diplomatic efforts to continue following the Geneva meeting, emphasizing that a resolution in Cyprus and lasting peace in the region are of utmost importance.

"If viewed correctly, a solution in Cyprus would mean a solution for the entire region. I don’t think only Haspolat will be discussed at the table. Whether topics such as hydrocarbons, trade routes, and energy will be officially on the table or discussed informally, the real issue is the equation of energy and security."

"Federation is Not an Ideological Obsession—It is a Fact"

Explaining why the meeting is informal, Erhürman said:

"If this were an official meeting, the UN Security Council (UNSC) framework would have to be followed. Since it is informal, discussions on energy and security may also take place. Matters beyond federation could be on the agenda. While we may not like the UNSC decisions, if the UN Secretary-General were to hold an official meeting, it would have to be within that framework."

Regarding the Greek Cypriot administration’s agreements with the US and France on security and energy, Erhürman questioned whether Greek Cypriots will continue to make unilateral decisions for the entire island.

"Those advocating for two states—how do they plan to claim rights over hydrocarbons extracted from the South? There are issues that require joint decision-making. This mechanism must be based on political equality. No decisions should be made without the consent of Turkish Cypriots. What do we call such a solution? In the Annan Plan, this structure was called a federation. Call it what you will. It is essentially a federation with strong wings. If a solution is to be found, it will have to be based on a decentralized federal model. This is not an ideological fixation—it is a fact."

"The Street is Demanding Change"

Erhürman reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side has been complacent over the past four and a half years, and a solution is urgently needed for all parties involved.

"Some crises create opportunities. The tensions between Trump and EU countries reminded everyone of a fundamental reality: Turkey should not be excluded from the EU. This is not strategically sound. So far, short-term calculations have been made, but a Europe without Turkey is not logical."

Highlighting the importance of political equality for Turkish Cypriots, Erhürman stated:

"Without political equality, any solution would be unsustainable. The timeline is crucial for us. We must be results-oriented. We want a guarantee that if the process begins and then collapses, we will not return to the old status quo. If there is a process, it must have a clear framework. We need to be actors in this process. Over the past four and a half years, we have had no role in it. This has never happened before. No one can ignore us, but we must also assert our presence."

Finally, he emphasized the growing demand for change in society:

"I have experienced many elections and believe we have a good sense of the public mood. There is a very clear demand for change on the streets. In many areas, decisions have already been made. The region is dynamic, and we have eight months ahead of us. The public sentiment is clearly leaning towards change."