Nami: Turkish Cypriots Sidelined from Process, Real Momentum to Come After Elections

Pointing to the meeting between Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Nami argued that negotiations have shifted to a direct dialogue between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side, bypassing Turkish Cypriots entirely. He added that significant political movement is likely to occur only after the upcoming presidential elections.

Speaking to the programme Gündem on Kıbrıs Postası TV, Nami assessed the outcome of the Expanded Format Informal Meeting on Cyprus in New York.

Nami noted that the meeting between Christodoulides and Fidan underlined how Turkish Cypriots are being left out of the current process, suggesting that bargaining is now taking place directly between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side. He stressed that this shift has occurred under the leadership of Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar and pointed out that Turkey’s efforts to revitalise relations with the European Union could influence developments on the Cyprus issue.

“Reducing the Quest for a Comprehensive Solution to Crossing Points Is Regrettable”

Commenting on the possibility of new crossing points being opened, Nami said any such decision would likely have been signalled ahead of the New York meeting, yet no positive statements emerged on the matter. He described it as disheartening that the broader quest for a comprehensive solution has been reduced to discussions on crossing points. Nami added that expecting radical steps under the current conditions would be unrealistic, given that President Tatar’s term is nearing its end.

“Talking for the Sake of Talking Is Treated as an Achievement”

Nami also criticised UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ approach of merely keeping the parties engaged, arguing that this serves only to maintain the status quo. “Talking for the sake of talking is treated as an achievement, but this resultless dialogue allows both sides to present their own policies as successful, further entrenching the status quo,” he said.

Nami concluded that as long as Tatar remains in office, no meaningful change can be expected. He asserted that real momentum will only be possible after the presidential elections, emphasising the importance of the will Turkish Cypriots will express at the ballot box.