Arıklı: Federation Must Be Removed from Constitution, Otherwise Recognition Is a Fantasy

Speaking on BRT, Arıklı described the references in the preamble of the TRNC Constitution as contradictory to the country’s recognition efforts. “It is inconsistent to keep federation language in the preamble while asking the world to recognize us as an independent state,” he said, urging that these references be removed swiftly.

“Keeping the federation option alive domestically while seeking ‘recognition’ abroad damages the credibility of both Turkey and the TRNC. This policy is nothing but a fantasy,” Arıklı said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot people must exercise their right to self-determination and remove federation from the agenda.

He underlined that the upcoming presidential election will be decisive in this respect, accusing pro-federation candidates of deceiving the people for years. “This election will in fact be a referendum on which path the Turkish Cypriot people want to follow. Either we will own our state or we will return to the federation fairy tale that leaves us at the mercy of the Greek Cypriots,” he said.

Arıklı stressed that the two-state solution policy launched jointly with Turkey in 2020 is now a state policy and irreversible. “The spirit and language of the Constitution must be brought in line with this policy. Otherwise, our demand for recognition will not be taken seriously in the world,” he warned.

“First Give Up on Federation”

Arıklı shared that during his contacts in Kyrgyzstan, he raised the issue of recognition with President Sadyr Japarov:

“I told the Kyrgyz President, ‘Recognize us.’ He replied, ‘You still keep the federation thesis in your constitution. First give up on federation, and then we will adjust our stance accordingly.’”

Arıklı cited this exchange as an example, stressing that as long as federation language remains in the preamble of the Constitution, recognition of the TRNC will be difficult, making urgent constitutional change necessary.