Hasipoğlu: Christodoulides Remains Uncompromising on All Cyprus Issues

In his assessment of Christodoulides’ recent remarks, Hasipoğlu said the Greek Cypriot leader labels the Turkish side’s proposals as “preconditions” while simultaneously insisting that “no negotiations or agreement can begin unless Turkish troops withdraw and Turkey’s intervention rights are abolished.” He described this stance as a clear contradiction.

Hasipoğlu argued that President Tufan Erhürman’s statements also contain inconsistencies: “On one hand he says he will work to turn the meeting table into a negotiating table and never leave it, yet on the other he proposes setting a time limit and timetable. This is contradictory.”

He added that the Greek Cypriot side’s “radical and unchanging” position leaves no room for genuine negotiation:
“Given the realities, continuing two-state cooperation talks for the benefit of both peoples is the more realistic and productive path.”

Hasipoğlu stressed that Christodoulides is not only uncompromising on security and guarantees, but on all key issues including sovereign equality, property, territory, transport, sports, trade and the international contacts of officials from the Turkish Cypriot side. He said the Greek Cypriot leader’s statements directly target the security of the Turkish Cypriot people.

“Turkish Forces Are the Guarantee of Peace”

Hasipoğlu described the Greek Cypriot demands for the withdrawal of Turkish forces and the abolition of the guarantor system as an “unacceptable precondition and imposition,” adding that such positions reflect decades of Greek Cypriot intransigence.

“The Turkish army brought peace to this island; its presence is the guarantee of that peace. The system of guarantees is a red line for the Turkish Cypriot people. Stepping back from this is not an option.”

He noted that the Greek Cypriot Parliament’s 2010 decision and the stance taken at Crans-Montana show that eliminating Turkey’s intervention rights remains a central goal for the Greek Cypriot side, which he said “does not indicate any intention for an agreement.”

“Two-State Cooperation Should Be on the Table”

Hasipoğlu said no negotiations can resume unless sovereign equality and the equal international status of the TRNC are acknowledged. He underlined that this position is fully supported by Turkey.

“President Erhürman should focus on the kind of talks that will serve the interests of both communities. We have always stated that our sovereignty and Turkey’s effective and active guarantees are our red lines. Christodoulides was never going to step back on guarantees and security—he proved that once again.”

Hasipoğlu concluded that, in light of the Greek Cypriot side’s rigid stance, “continuing two-state cooperation talks from where they were left off remains the most realistic and result-oriented approach for both peoples.”