Arıklı: Foreign Powers Satisfied With the Status Quo

Speaking to Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen Live, Arıklı claimed that the United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel are content with the existing status quo on the island and that Israeli missiles deployed in the south have the range to target Turkey.

Arıklı, who also leads the Re-Birth Party (YDP), argued that international developments and foreign interventions continue to block peace efforts on the island. “Israel is one of the countries contributing to these obstacles,” he said.

He stated that the outcome of the recent presidential election was driven by economic issues rather than support for the federal model, adding that “President Tufan Erhürman’s statement that he will not take any steps without consulting Turkey reflects the requirements of state wisdom, even if it disturbs some circles.”

Explaining the shift of Turkey and the TRNC away from federation towards a two-state policy, Arıklı said more than half a century of negotiations had been wasted. “The two sides couldn’t even agree on what federation means,” he said, adding that President Erhürman, like former presidents Mehmet Ali Talat and Mustafa Akıncı, “will face the same disappointment.”

Arıklı accused Israel of turning the Greek Cypriot administration into a satellite state, saying: “Israel has increasingly settled in the south, deploying missiles with a 150-kilometre range. Even AKEL has begun accusing the government of being subservient to Israel.”

He argued that the current status quo benefits several international powers. “The UK maintains two sovereign bases on the island, while the US preserves tension to keep both Turkey and Greece under control,” he said. Arıklı added that Israel’s military presence in the south and its missile systems capable of reaching Turkey’s southern coast “make the existing situation advantageous for Israel—because a solution would disrupt this balance.”

Declaring that “the federation model is finished,” Arıklı insisted that a “two-state structure based on sovereign equality” is now the only viable path. He accused the Greek Cypriot side of trying to reduce Turkish Cypriots to a minority under the guise of federation.

“Greek Cypriots want to see us as a small community under their sovereignty,” Arıklı said, stressing that the TRNC possesses all the elements of statehood—territory, people, and political authority—regardless of recognition. “No one recognising us does not change the reality of our statehood. Taiwan is a good example,” he added.

He also suggested that the TRNC could maintain sovereignty under Turkey’s protection through “a model similar to Monaco or Liechtenstein.”

Commenting on the new president, Arıklı said, “Erhürman will maintain a balanced relationship with Turkey. His approach shows prudence. The delay in his visit to Ankara is due to ongoing diplomatic groundwork and planning of the new roadmap.”