Tufan Erhürman has responded to President Nikos Christodoulides' suggestion that the two leaders could "make history together" on the Cyprus issue, arguing that building a common future remains difficult while trust between the two communities continues to be tested.
The comments came after Christodoulides' interview with Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Düzen, in which he expressed the belief that Erhürman genuinely wants a solution and said the two leaders could work together to achieve meaningful progress in efforts to reunify Cyprus.
Response ahead of leaders' meeting
In a social media post published hours before Wednesday's meeting between the two leaders, Erhürman said that under current circumstances, "writing history together" is far from straightforward.
According to Erhürman, developments in recent years have made it harder to create the conditions necessary for renewed confidence between the two sides.
Concerns over regional agreements
Erhürman argued that agreements concluded with various countries, particularly Israel and Greece, have sidelined Turkish Cypriots.
He said such moves, in his view, create risks for stability both in Cyprus and across the wider region.
Trust-building measures under pressure
The Turkish Cypriot leader also contended that, rather than advancing new confidence-building measures, existing trust between the two sides is being strained.
Within that context, he referred to the Barcelona case, festivals organised in the north, property-related issues and decisions of the European Parliament, which he described as unilateral and biased.
Erhürman linked those decisions to initiatives taken by Greek Cypriot members of the European Parliament.
Conditions for a new Cyprus initiative
Erhürman said these developments make it particularly difficult to establish an environment capable of supporting a new effort to resolve the Cyprus issue.
According to him, this reality is recognised not only by Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots but also by the wider international community.
His remarks came in response to Christodoulides' public call for closer cooperation between the two leaders as efforts continue to revive negotiations on the Cyprus issue.
