President Erhürman issues a written statement on Cyprus issue

President Tufan Erhürman issued a written statement on Tuesday. The statement reads as follows:

“Hardly a day goes by without an announcement of a new agreement or a new statement by the Greek Cypriot leadership regarding the Cyprus issue.

On the one hand, whilst a new agreement on military cooperation with France is being announced; on the other, it is being claimed that the ‘process has already started’ regarding the new initiative expected from Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, after the elections and the EU term presidency in the South.

Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also made statements recently, noting that the Cyprus issue is directly linked to regional stability and prosperity — a view with which I fully agree.

However, the same Ms. von der Leyen also referred to the need for “Europe not to be left under Russian, Turkish, and Chinese influence”, and referred to the energy-related Great Sea Interconnector project in a manner that appears to overlook the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people. This comes in addition to her earlier remarks, including references to ‘innovation in Cyprus in the shadow of Byzantine churches’ and the so-called ‘looking through the barrel’ ritual.

We are, of course, under no obligation to respond to every single statement made.  However, when such statements come one after another, it seems inevitable that a simple question and an equally simple call are needed to be raised. 

The question that needs to be asked is this: Is there anyone who truly believes that a solution on this island can be reached by ignoring the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people?

And the call is this: I respectfully call on all those who say they support a solution in Cyprus to once again assess whether all these developments truly contribute to it.

As to our position? Guided by the will of our people for a solution, we are here — resolute and determined — with patience, composure, and a serious sense of purpose.”