Ertuğruloğlu: Cyprus Issue Has Lost Its Chance of Being Solved Through Negotiations

Speaking on BRT’s Manşet Artı programme, Ertuğruloğlu said the Greek Cypriot side had created a “Greek Cypriot state” under the name of the “Republic of Cyprus,” and that its ultimate goal was to extend the sovereignty of that state over the entire island.

“The world is heading toward a new order, and amid these developments, we are faced with what everyone calls the ‘Cyprus problem,’” Ertuğruloğlu said, noting that diplomatic contacts on the issue were continuing.

He explained that his recent engagements included attending the UN General Assembly in New York, holding talks with think tanks in Washington, and later taking part in the Turkic States Organization Summit in Azerbaijan.

Referring to the UN-sponsored five-party meetings held in Geneva and New York, Ertuğruloğlu recalled that the UN Secretary-General had planned to convene a third such meeting after elections in the TRNC.

“At the closing minutes of the New York meeting,” he said, “the Secretary-General mentioned holding another five-party meeting after the elections in the north. At that very moment, [Greek Cypriot leader Nikos] Christodoulides rudely interrupted him, saying, ‘You cannot call them elections; elections are held in states.’ That was a very meaningful and telling statement. To Christodoulides, there is no such thing as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Therefore, he objected to the Secretary-General’s use of the word ‘elections,’ because for him, that would imply recognition of a state. Unfortunately, the Secretary-General backtracked and ended the meeting by saying, ‘toward the end of the year.’”

Ertuğruloğlu said the Cyprus issue had again become central in the ongoing election period in the TRNC and stressed that recognition must first come from within.

“I have always emphasised this,” he said. “As long as there are political parties and figures inside the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who do not accept its existence, we cannot expect other countries to recognise it. Some even appear pleased by the difficulties we face. Before expecting others to recognise us, we must take responsibility for recognising ourselves.”

He added that when other states observe internal divisions and say, “Even within this entity, there are parties and people who don’t accept the existence of this state,” it does not help the Turkish Cypriot people. “On the contrary,” Ertuğruloğlu said, “it is an insult, an injustice, and a disservice to our people.”