Antalya, Turkey. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said Turkish Cypriots are one of two equal founding partners in Cyprus and hold sovereign rights equal to Greek Cypriots. He spoke on Saturday at the Antalya diplomacy forum in an interview with TRT.
Interview at Antalya diplomacy forum
Erhurman was interviewed by Turkish public broadcaster TRT’s Yusuf Erim, who asked whether he, like his predecessor Ersin Tatar, supports a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem.
Erhurman said he approaches the issue through legal character and content, referring to the legal status obtained by the Turkish Cypriot people upon the signing of the Republic of Cyprus’ foundational documents in 1959. He said he intends to forge a negotiating process where Turkish Cypriots are at the table as equal partners.
Claims of equal status and sovereign rights
Erhurman said he has maintained this position since taking office and is applying it in the negotiation process being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
“The Turkish Cypriot people are one of two equal founding partners on the island. This is a legal status that no one can change,” he said.
He added that, as one of the two equal founding partners, Turkish Cypriots have sovereign rights like Greek Cypriots, and said he cannot accept Turkish Cypriots being disregarded.
Consultation on energy, security and maritime jurisdiction
Erhurman said no one can make decisions, establish international relations, or sign international agreements as if Turkish Cypriots do not exist. He listed energy, security and maritime jurisdiction as areas in which Turkish Cypriots must be consulted before the Republic of Cyprus takes decisions.
“If there is such an issue, if there is the issue of maritime jurisdiction, the Greek Cypriot side does not have the right to sign agreements or to enter into international alliances in these fields without the will of the Turkish Cypriots,” he said.
What impact do you think Erhurman’s position could have on future Cyprus negotiations?