Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Tuesday criticised Israel and regional security developments, saying he does not trust “any government that kills children” and lambasting the Republic’s military and diplomatic alignments in the Levant.
Regional tensions
Erhurman made the remarks in an interview with Turkish broadcaster Haber, focusing on what he described as rising regional tensions linked to the Republic’s foreign policy direction and defence cooperation with international partners.
He said he was concerned by the expansion of military activity at facilities including Andreas Papandreou Air Base, as well as cooperation agreements involving Israel, the United States and France.
He linked those concerns to wider instability in the Levant, referring to evacuation operations carried out under the Estia plan during conflicts in the Middle East.
“The fact that Paphos may be at risk does not mean that Turkish Cypriots in Nicosia or Lefke are not at risk,” he said.
Trade and diplomacy
Erhurman also criticised efforts by the Republic to expand diplomatic and economic relations with countries including India and Israel, arguing that trade routes and cooperation frameworks that exclude Turkey and Turkish Cypriots would not be viable.
“It is impossible for a trade route that excludes Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to be functional in this region,” he said.
Cyprus issue and Turkey
Erhurman said the north was acting in coordination with Ankara on regional and Cyprus-related policy, adding that alignment with Turkey remained central to decision-making.
“It is out of the question to determine a position on the Cyprus issue without consulting Turkey,” he said, adding that any agreement should be based on dialogue rather than unilateral action.
Property debate
He also referred to reports and public debate in government-controlled areas over recent property acquisitions by Israeli property developers, saying that while definitive data was not available, there appeared to be “serious unrest” within parts of the Greek Cypriot public.