Harmancı: Turkish Cypriot Identity Under Threat from Both North and South

Speaking after his meeting with President Ersin Tatar, Harmancı shared his views on the Cyprus issue and the ongoing dialogue between the two communities.

Harmancı and Tatar met for the first time following the leaders’ meeting held on 5 May 2025. Accompanied by their respective teams, the two officials exchanged information and views on various issues raised at the negotiation table, particularly the opening of new crossing points and the evaluation of treated water from the bi-communal Haspolat Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Harmancı noted with satisfaction that contrary to what was reflected in President Hristodulidis’s public remarks, President Tatar did not display a negative stance on the treated water project. He underlined the significance of using the treated water for agricultural purposes on both sides of Nicosia, not only for the financial sustainability of the treatment plant but also as a joint response to climate change.

He added that the part of the project on the northern side of the island is planned to be funded through the European Union's Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, while Greek Cypriot authorities are still seeking funding for the southern section.

Mayor Harmancı emphasized that the bi-communal status of the Haspolat Treatment Plant must be preserved and that the treated water project would further strengthen and sustain this cooperation. He stressed that this mutually beneficial initiative should be assessed as a joint effort promoting trust and should not be used as leverage in unrelated negotiations.

Harmancı said that, in line with the feasibility study prepared in 2018 with the contribution of LTB and the Water Department, they reached a consensus to convene all relevant public institutions under the auspices of President Tatar to discuss and concretize the draft proposal outlined in the study.

Reiterating his support for the opening of every potential new crossing point until a comprehensive settlement is achieved, Harmancı said that he and President Tatar agreed on the priority of establishing a new vehicular crossing in Nicosia. If progress cannot be made on proposals outside Nicosia, Harmancı said he once again suggested shifting the focus to a pedestrian crossing in the walled city, as long requested by the Greek Cypriot side, and a new vehicular crossing in either the Haspolat or Kaymaklı areas.

In his post-meeting remarks, Harmancı warned that the continued existence of the Turkish Cypriot community with its own identity and political will is increasingly being challenged by mounting pressures, threats, and rights violations from both the north and the south. He stressed that the way forward is not through isolation or avoidance of negotiations, but through a consistent stance in the face of all external pressures—and by being a voice for peace and justice on a federal basis in the face of all forms of populism.