Taçoy: Greek Cypriot Side Aims to Reduce Turkish Cypriots to a Minority

Speaking on Kanal T during a programme hosted by Damla Dabiş, Taçoy criticised the lack of outcomes from decades of negotiations on the Cyprus issue. He emphasised that the Turkish Cypriot side clearly desires a result and an agreement, but pointed out that any solution model — including federation — requires at least two states.

“There Can Be No Agreement Between a State and a Community”

“There can be no agreement between a state and a community,” Taçoy said, underlining that any agreement must be based on equal status between the two sides, regardless of name or form. He reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side seeks to place Turkish Cypriots in a minority position within a unitary structure.

He also criticised the Greek Cypriot government for issuing arrest warrants against Turkish Cypriots and individuals doing business with them, while at the same time engaging in talks under the banner of “Confidence-Building Measures.” “Who exactly are we building confidence with, and in what?” he asked.

Taçoy referenced the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision in the Demopoulos case, which recognised that individuals living on or within a property also have rights to it. He said the ruling provided a roadmap for resolving the property issue on the island.

“Their Goal Is to Render the Immovable Property Commission Ineffective”

He argued that the Greek Cypriot side's sole aim is to undermine the effectiveness of the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), which he said has paid over £500 million to Greek Cypriots who left property in the North and remains fully operational.

Taçoy accused the Greek Cypriot government of politicising the issue by using legal tools for political purposes. “Unfortunately, the Greek Cypriot administration is manipulating the legal system to serve political ends,” he said.

Describing the IPC as the only “local” mechanism for resolving property disputes in Cyprus, Taçoy noted that the legal structure in Northern Cyprus had been acknowledged through past agreements and practices.

He questioned why a law passed in 2006 is only now being enforced by the Greek Cypriot side, arguing that this raises legal — not just political — concerns. He added that only political negotiations can resolve such politically charged issues.

Taçoy called for the two leaders on the island to meet and discuss the issue, stating that a negotiating table could be set up if the conditions are properly defined. He supported President Tatar’s demand that arrests be halted and detainees released, but criticised Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides’s stance as prompting a situation of reciprocity.

“The Turkish Side’s Position Is Not an Escape, but Reciprocity”

Taçoy stressed that the Turkish side’s position should not be seen as avoidance, but as an act of reciprocity. “Our expectation is that the Greek Cypriot side will cease its oppressive behaviour towards individuals and sit down to politically resolve this issue,” he said.

He reiterated that the only certain element in any future settlement is bi-zonality and stated that the current crisis triggered by arrests must be solved politically through dialogue between the two leaders.

Taçoy called for unity across civil society and political parties, stating, “At this point, we must stand united and speak with one voice.”

“Lobbying Efforts Must Be Stepped Up”

He also stressed the need for the Turkish Cypriot side to intensify its lobbying efforts and raise international awareness. The immediate goal, he said, should be ending the arrests before any negotiations can resume.

Responding to a question about whether the Greek Cypriot stance could influence elections in the North, Taçoy said, “This is a question that must be answered politically. But at this moment, there is no basis for that discussion.”