Hasipoğlu: ‘We Will Win the Election by a Greater Margin Than the Last One’

Speaking as a guest on the Sabah Postası programme on Kıbrıs Postası, hosted by Gökhan Altıner, Hasipoğlu commented on both the recent UN General Assembly in New York and the approaching election campaign.

Referring to the 80th UN General Assembly, Hasipoğlu noted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had, for the fourth time, called for the recognition of the TRNC. He underlined Erdoğan’s statement that the Turkish Cypriots had committed no wrongdoing against the international community and should be rewarded rather than punished.

Hasipoğlu criticised the UN, arguing that it no longer served its original purpose but rather the interests of its permanent members, citing Gaza as an example of long-standing injustice. “People have been massacred, and the permanent members of the UN act only according to their own interests. We have experienced this too. But we will continue our struggle,” he said.

He pointed out that Tatar had presented constructive proposals in New York, but that the Greek Cypriot side still harboured fears of cooperation, which was reflected in the report of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Hasipoğlu also criticised CTP leader and presidential candidate Tufan Erhürman’s continued emphasis on federation, arguing that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides was unwilling even to engage in cooperation.

“I am not saying we should walk away from the table. We must push them to cooperate. Tatar has even proposed sharing water and natural resources,” Hasipoğlu stated.

He recalled Erdoğan’s call during the General Assembly for an energy conference between the TRNC, the Republic of Cyprus and Greece, which was rejected. “Their mentality is based on a single sovereignty, while we say equality. Christodoulides’ stance is not peaceful. In his speech, he said the withdrawal of Turkish troops was the first condition for a solution. But Turkey is our red line — we cannot step back from this. They should not peddle false hopes,” Hasipoğlu stressed.

Turning to the presidential race, Hasipoğlu said Erhürman would ultimately face the same disappointment as former leaders Mehmet Ali Talat and Mustafa Akıncı. “Yes, Erhürman may set up the table and hold talks, but he will end up disappointed just like Akıncı and Talat. Talat once asked in Sarayönü, ‘Should I hang myself?’ after the collapse of talks, while Akıncı said, ‘My generation’s last attempt has failed.’ We will hear a similar remark from Erhürman. It will cost us another five years, and the table will collapse with another bitter lesson,” he said.

On the upcoming elections, Hasipoğlu underlined the strong coordination of UBP’s grassroots organisations and said citizens had acknowledged the investments made and expressed their gratitude. “We will win by an even greater margin than in the last election. Our people have completely lost faith in federation,” he declared.

Hasipoğlu added that President Tatar had won in 2020 on the basis of rejecting federation negotiations and had remained consistent in his stance. “We continue our struggle to increase the visibility of the TRNC. The Greek Cypriot side is doing everything possible to undermine our economy, but we remain determined to carry on the fight,” he concluded.