A solution cannot be achieved by harming or constantly threatening peace, nor can military agreements or threats against individuals or the economy persuade the Turkish Cypriot people to renounce or jeopardise their rights to equality, sovereignty and security, Tufan Erhürman said on Monday.
In a post on his social media, the Turkish Cypriot leader referred to a report in the Greek Cypriot press about new lawsuits being prepared over property rights. “The negotiating table is here. Proposals aimed at creating a climate conducive to achieving a solution are on the table. It must be understood that our commitment to a solution and to peace will be judged not only by what we do at the negotiating table, but also by what we do away from it.”
Mr Erhürman sought to remind that following the agreement between Cyprus, Greece and Israel came Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland.
'Turkish Cypriots cannot be made to suffer'
Returning the issue of lawsuits over usurpation, he states that the Turkish Cypriot people also have many lawsuits they could file, as well as strategic initiatives — as he puts it — that they could pursue internationally, including on the issue of property rights.
“One point must be emphasised. The Turkish Cypriot people want a solution. This solution will be one that guarantees the equality, sovereignty and security rights of this people.”
No one, he continues, should be under the illusion that they can “force the Turkish Cypriot people by dragging them along, by making them suffer, into accepting an unjust solution”.
Targeting individuals and worsening relations between people on both sides will achieve nothing, he adds. Ultimately, a solution depends on two referendums and a few signatures, he notes. Peace, however, he concludes, is something that is built - a process that must begin before a solution and continue after it.
CNA