Erhürman: Turkish Cypriots Must Be Recognized as Equal Founding Partners in Cyprus

Erhürman emphasized that the international community has repeatedly witnessed the Turkish Cypriot community’s commitment to a solution. “The solution will come from the will of the Turkish Cypriot people, and while this will exists, there is no legitimate justification for ignoring it,” he stated.

Rebuilding the Presidency’s Credibility
Erhürman noted Pyla’s particular significance in the Cyprus issue, stating that residents are among the most affected. Highlighting the role of the presidency, he said: “The President elected by the Turkish Cypriot people has always worked in consultation and close dialogue with the guarantor and brother country, Turkey. That will continue.” He stressed that shared values, equality, and security reflect both the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot community and Turkey.

Erhürman also emphasized the importance of having well-prepared dossiers, asserting: “The presidency should leverage Turkey’s international support, just as was done during the establishment of the Immovable Property Commission. Equal relations with the Greek Cypriot community and leadership are essential, and diplomacy and dialogue are always beneficial.”

He highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, stating: “Peaceful relations among Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece benefit the entire region. Strong engagement with international actors such as the UN, EU, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Turkic Council is essential.” He concluded: “In the new term, we will restore the presidency’s credibility together with our people.”

Turkish Cypriots Are an Equal Founding Partner
Erhürman underlined that the Turkish Cypriot community is one of the two equal founding partners of Cyprus and cannot be ignored. “The president’s duties include conducting negotiations for a comprehensive solution. For five years, such negotiations have been absent. Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot leadership has exercised sovereignty over the entire island, but Turkish Cypriots are equal partners and the Greek Cypriot leader cannot act alone.”

He stressed that decisions concerning security, maritime zones, energy, hydrocarbons, or trade routes cannot be made by the Greek Cypriot leadership without recognizing Turkish Cypriots’ equal status. “We will never allow this situation to continue. Ignoring Turkish Cypriots contradicts the struggle of our ancestors and the ideals we hold for our children,” Erhürman said.

Equal Decision-Making and Political Equality
Erhürman emphasized the Turkish Cypriot community’s desire for a two-state, two-community system where both sides make joint decisions on matters such as energy, maritime zones, trade routes, and island security. He noted that federations exist worldwide, some with strong central governments, others with powerful constituent states. “After all these years, the solution that reflects the island’s realities is a structure where the constituent states are strong and jointly make decisions on key issues based on political equality within a central framework,” he concluded.