Erhürman and Erdoğan hold joint press conference

President Tufan Erhürman, who was in Ankara for his first official visit abroad after being elected as the 6^th President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), held a joint press conference with the President of Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex yesterday.

In his remarks, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated his belief that the most realistic solution to the Cyprus issue lies in the coexistence of two states on the island.

Erdoğan expressed that he had held a very comprehensive and productive meeting with President Tufan Erhürman and his delegation during which they discussed possible joint steps for the future within the broader context of the Cyprus issue. He added “Our stance on the Cyprus cause has always been clear. As we have done in the past, we will never leave the Turkish Cypriot people alone in their just struggle today and tomorrow.”

Pointing out that the Cyprus issue persists primarily because the Greek Cypriot side refuses to acknowledge the Turkish Cypriots’ equal standing internationally, President Erdoğan said “The Greek Cypriot side neither wants to share political power nor economic prosperity with the Turkish Cypriots on the island, nor will it ever agree to do so.”

Erdoğan reiterated that Türkiye maintain its position that a viable solution is one in which two people on the island can live side by side in peace, prosperity, and security, emphasizing that Türkiye will continue its sincere efforts toward this end.

For his part, President Turfan Erhürman emphasized in his statement that relations between TRNC and Türkiye were incomparably special, recalling that all presidents of the TRNC had carried out their duties regarding the Cyprus issue and foreign policy matters in consultation with the Republic of Türkiye.

President Erhürman stated that during his term of office, he would prioritize efforts to strengthen the unshakeable bonds of brotherhood with the Republic of Türkiye and to make the country and the Turkish Cypriot people better known and recognized in the Turkish public opinion.

Pointing out that the Republic of Türkiye is one of the three guarantor countries with authority and responsibilities over the whole of Cyprus, Erhürman stated that, particularly in conditions where armament is increasing day by day in the South of Cyprus and in the region, Türkiye is one of the most important actors today, as it was yesterday, in all efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue.

President Erhürman also underlined that Turkish Cypriots’ view of two equal founding partners’ status on the island is not open to discussion, negotiation, or bargaining.