The Turkish Cypriot side has never withdrawn from the negotiating table, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said on Saturday, adding that there are many issues that must be discussed before conditions mature for negotiations to resume.
Erhürman’s remarks were made during a military parade in northern Nicosia marking the 42nd anniversary of the unilateral declaration of the breakaway entity. The Turkish government was represented by Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz, who said that the path to a solution requires recognition of the Turkish Cypriots’ “sovereign equality and equal international status”.
Turkish Cypriots 'have been ignored'
Equality, freedom, the rule of law, democracy, prosperity, security and peace are rights enjoyed by all peoples, including the “Turkish Cypriot people”, Erhürman said in his address. He spoke of determination to advance necessary reforms in the north and highlighted the importance of continuing efforts to find solutions that would secure lasting stability and peace on the island and in the wider region.
Speaking at the parade, Erhürman said that comprehensive settlement negotiations on the Cyprus problem have not taken place for a long time, referring to what he called “very serious and worrying developments in the region” as well as the “irresponsible” decisions of the Republic of Cyprus regarding military procurement and the signing of defence agreements. He claimed that Turkish Cypriots have been ignored and sidelined on multiple issues affecting developments on the island and in the region.
On the Cyprus problem, he reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side has never left the negotiating table and “will not do so in the future”, adding that many issues must be discussed until the conditions are ripe for formal negotiations.
Sovereign rights
“If there is a negotiating table aimed at reaching a comprehensive solution, we will be there. If that table has not yet been set, we will be at the table to facilitate the daily lives of both peoples on the island, to build trust, create a climate conducive to a solution, and promote cooperation and measures that will contribute to a future settlement, within the principle of mutual benefit,” he said.
He went on to repeat the position that Turkish Cypriots are “one of the two equal founding partners of this island”, and that they hold as much sovereign right over the island as Greek Cypriots do. Turkish Cypriots will not allow their rights regarding sovereignty and equality to be violated or disregarded, he added.
He also said that it is unacceptable for decisions to be taken “without the will of the Turkish Cypriots” on matters such as security, energy, maritime zones, hydrocarbons and trade routes, arguing that these areas constitute “shared spheres of competence on the island”.
“We have no interest in the rights and interests of Greek Cypriots, but we will never tolerate the violation of the rights and interests of our own people,” Erhürman said, adding that Turkish Cypriots do not demand more than what they are entitled to, nor do they seek the rights of anyone else, “but they will never accept less than what they are owed. The solution to the problem is, of course, dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations.”
Turkey as a motherland
In a speech before the parade, Yılmaz said the breakaway entity is an “inseparable part of the great Turkish nation” and that Turkey will continue to support “their sovereignty and freedom”.
He referred to Turkey’s “positive stance” towards cooperation that could benefit all inhabitants of the island on the basis of “equal political sovereignty”, and said Ankara expects concrete steps to be taken in the areas identified within the UN framework.
He also reaffirmed Turkey’s support as the “Motherland and guarantor country”, as he described it, for the Turkish Cypriots, recalling that Turkey “stood by them” on 20 July 1974 and on 15 November 1983.
On the Cyprus problem, Yılmaz maintained that the Turkish Cypriot side has always been sincere in the negotiations and that “despite pressure and injustice, we have not abandoned the search for peace and have tried to create a system in which the two communities of the island could coexist on an equal basis”.
He repeated the position that “the path to a just, lasting and sustainable solution on the island lies in the international community’s recognition of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots - that is, recognition of sovereign equality and equal international status”, adding that Turkey will continue to support this “common national cause”.
Yılmaz also highlighted Turkey’s economic support for the breakaway entity through investments and projects, noting the signing of “economic protocols and agreements”.