Erhürman: This Is Only the Beginning, Consultations Will Continue Intensively

Speaking at Ercan Airport following his first official foreign visit to Ankara, Erhürman said, “This first meeting confirmed our agreement to continue consultations in an intensive manner.” He noted that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side were largely aligned on key sensitivities, emphasising “political equality.”

Erhürman stated that he planned to meet Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides next week, stressing the need to avoid prejudgement and allowing the process to develop its own dynamic.

“We Attach Importance to the 5+1 Format, but Some Results Must First Be Achieved in Lefkoşa”

Providing details of his contacts in Ankara, Erhürman said he visited Anıtkabir, met Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Numan Kurtulmuş and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and later held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

He said the main topic of discussions was the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, adding that today’s meetings were a starting point and that intensive consultations would continue.

Erhürman noted that he planned to meet Greek Cypriot leader Christodoulides in the second half of next week. He also recalled that he would meet UN Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguín on 5 December, and said Ankara provided an opportunity to evaluate the previously announced informal 5+1 Cyprus meeting. He stressed that they attach importance to the 5+1 format but wish to see certain outcomes achieved in Lefkoşa beforehand.

Erhürman added that they would soon begin extensive external contacts.

“We Share a Common Discomfort About Turkish Cypriots Being Treated as if They Do Not Exist”

Evaluating his meetings in Ankara, Erhürman said the two sides were largely aligned on sensitivities, adding: “We share a common discomfort regarding violations of the sovereign rights of Turkish Cypriots and attempts to act as if the Turkish Cypriot people do not exist.”

Erhürman Answers Questions from Journalists

In response to questions, Erhürman underlined that the positions he highlighted matched those he had outlined during the election campaign, stressing that the key point was “political equality,” which he described as the essential foundation of any federation.

He said it remained to be seen how Christodoulides would approach the four elements they put forward as part of the solution methodology, noting that there had been some debate on the issue in the Greek Cypriot side after the elections, though some discussions were distorted.

Erhürman added that President Erdoğan had also emphasised that political equality was a necessary condition for sovereign equality.

Stating that the negotiation process would begin and that there should be no prejudgement, Erhürman said: “We must be patient, calm and determined,” adding that necessary steps would be taken based on what develops in the coming days.

“Our Views Are Not Disconnected from One Another”

Describing today’s meetings as “highly productive and substantive,” Erhürman said the two sides did not hold disconnected or diametrically opposed views. While sensitivities were largely shared, he acknowledged that some terminological differences remained, adding that the process would generate its own momentum.

“We are still at a very early stage. We are here to work,” he said, adding that they would proceed carefully while maintaining efficiency. He stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people were the side seeking a solution and that they should not be the ones paying the price if a solution is not reached.

Erhürman also said he raised the issue of Turkish Cypriots being denied entry to Turkey, as he had previously indicated he would do, and noted that he would continue to follow the matter.