Erhürman Slams Tatar’s Divisive Rhetoric, Calls for Timetabled Talks

Speaking on Kıbrıs Postası TV’s Gündem programme, Erhürman also reiterated his call for a solution-oriented and time-bound negotiation process to resolve the Cyprus issue.

Commenting on last week’s informal Cyprus meeting in New York, Erhürman said his expectations were low from the outset, but added that the continuation of diplomatic contact was a positive sign. He stressed that recent geopolitical developments—including improving relations between Turkey and the EU, as well as international summits held this year—may provide bridges toward renewed formal negotiations.

“Tatar’s Language Deepens Division”

Erhürman sharply criticised Tatar’s public statements following the New York summit and during recent appearances, including 20 July events, accusing him of using rhetoric that polarises the community. “This divisive language is not befitting of the presidency in either a constitutional or political sense,” he said, adding that Tatar’s remarks appeared to directly target him and the upcoming election.

“The weight of the office demands responsibility,” Erhürman stated.

“Negotiations Must Aim for Solution, Not Stalemate”

Erhürman underlined that his party is not seeking negotiations for their own sake, but rather a process that leads to a viable solution. He called for a clear negotiation methodology, including a defined start and end date, a commitment to results, and no bargaining over Turkish Cypriots' political equality.

He stressed that any talks should resume from where they left off in Berlin, in line with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call for a results-oriented, time-limited process. “The Turkish Cypriots deserve an end to uncertainty and a path that leads to the lifting of isolations,” he said.

He listed four preconditions for negotiations:

• A clearly defined and time-bound process;

• Resumption of talks from the Berlin framework;

• No renegotiation of political equality;

• A process that guarantees the lifting of isolations regardless of the outcome.

“Turkish Cypriots Must Have a Say in the Island’s Future”

Addressing power-sharing, Erhürman said that the current realities on the ground point to a decentralised federal solution. He argued that this model—also finding acceptance among Greek Cypriots—would limit the central government’s authority and allow each constituent state to pursue autonomous policies.

He listed potential federal-level competencies as:

• Maritime jurisdiction

• Hydrocarbon resources

• Energy

• Security

• Maritime and international trade

“Under a federal structure, Turkish Cypriots would have equal say in matters that affect the island’s future,” Erhürman said, underscoring the importance of political equality in these key areas.

“Calling Federation a ‘Minority Thesis’ Undermines Decades of Policy”

Responding to Tatar’s remark that federation is a “minority thesis,” Erhürman said such a claim undermines the legacy of former Turkish Cypriot leaders, including Rauf Denktaş, as well as Turkey’s longstanding policy. He reminded that a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation has been a Turkish thesis supported by Ankara from Bülent Ecevit’s era to the Annan Plan.

“To label federation a minority thesis is to suggest that Turkey and all previous Turkish Cypriot leaders defended our minority status,” he argued.

Erhürman concluded by pointing to the 1977–79 High-Level Agreements, which enshrined political equality and a bi-zonal federation—ensuring that Turkish Cypriots would not become a minority within a federal structure.