Ertuğruloğlu: “A new process can only begin if two sovereign and equal states sit at the negotiating table”

Responding to questions during a TV interview, TRNC Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu stated that partnership with the Greek Cypriot side is not the single option for the Turkish Cypriot people and added that “Negotiations which continued for 50 years and ended in failure cannot be resumed after the Greek Cypriot presidential elections. A new process can only begin if two sovereign and equal states come to the negotiating table.”

Stating that the federal settlement option was no longer possible in Cyprus, Ertuğruloğlu said that the confederate settlement option is still possible, given that confederation is also a form of federal solution. The Foreign Minister added that he only supports a federal settlement if a confederation is established.

The Foreign Minister also reiterated that before and after the negotiations both Motherland Turkey and President Mustafa Akıncı have stated on numerous occasions that these negotiations “will be an end” in themselves. The Foreign Minister also emphasised that “Partnership with the Greek Cypriot side is not the single option for the Turkish Cypriot people. The negotiation process which has continued for 50 years and ended in failure cannot resume in the same way following the presidential elections in the south. A settlement will only be possible if two equal and sovereign states sit at the negotiation table.”