Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Thursday reiterated his support for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ efforts to resume negotiations on the Cyprus problem. He also said there is no formal plan in place, only ideas, and pledged to keep the public informed of meaningful developments.
Support for UN efforts
Erhurman said there would be movement in the process starting in July, following the elections and the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the south.
“We had shared with our people months ago that there would be movement in the process starting in July, following the elections and the [Council of the European Union] rotating presidency in the south. Yesterday was the first day of July. Our people’s will for a solution is clear,” he said.
He said, “we have stated that we support Guterres’ efforts”, adding that “we continue to support them”.
Conditions for negotiations
Erhurman referred to his four-point methodology, which he said must be fulfilled for negotiations to resume.
“Our principles and methodology have been shared repeatedly with all parties and our people. These are clear and known to everyone. We are closely following and evaluating all international initiatives which have the potential to influence developments regarding the Cyprus issue,” he said.
Response to reports and political stance
He said, “we will not be a tool for provocations or games, no matter which side they come from”, adding that “I think our patience, composure, seriousness, and determination are now known to everyone”.
Erhurman also addressed media reports published in recent weeks about the status of progress in talks on the Cyprus problem.
“We had said that there was no formal plan, only some ideas,” he said.
He added, “If anyone had doubts, I think that there should be no doubts with the new statements,” referring to remarks made on Wednesday by UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin, who said the reports were “rich in assumptions and creativity”.
Commitment to public updates
Erhurman said, “we will continue to inform our people in a timely manner about every meaningful development”.
He added, “As we always say, we have neither engaged in, nor will we engage in the peddling of despair or hope, because we have no intention or need to reap political gain from any process or outcome”.
He said his only concern is “the rights, future, equality, security and connection with our people’s world, especially that of our children and the preservation of the position of Turkish Cypriots as active participants”.