Tufan Erhürman criticised the Cyprus-Lebanon maritime delimitation agreement for not taking into consideration the will of the Turkish Cypriots, adding that Turkish Cypriots will not shy away from engaging with the world while the Greek Cypriots continue to speak on behalf of the whole island.
In a social media post on Thursday, the Turkish Cypriot leader said the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) agreement signed in Beirut on Wednesday, once again, did not include the will of the Turkish Cypriots who are “one of the two equal owners of the island and one of the two equal founding partners holding sovereign rights on the island”.
Erhürman further argued he would not shy away from making his people’s views heard and protecting their rights and interests outside of the negotiating table, including before international organisations such as the European Union, the Organisation of Turkic States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organisation.
‘Yes to a solution, but no to hiding’
In response to criticism among some Greek Cypriot press that he is not serious about a solution, the Turkish Cypriot leader argued he will not sit quiet at the negotiating table, while “the Greek Cypriot leadership continues signing agreements on behalf of the whole island without the will of the Turkish Cypriots – who are one of the two equal partners of the island and possess equal sovereign rights”.
“Expecting the Turkish Cypriot side to shut itself off from the world, to content itself with expectations about what may happen at the negotiating table, and not to communicate with the outside world, is neither fair nor a solution-oriented stance,” he said.
Erhürman argued that this followed the mindset that “the status quo must not be disturbed, that the Greek Cypriots should continue behaving as if they are the sole owners of the island and as if the Turkish Cypriots do not exist, and that the Turkish Cypriots should sit and wait.”
He added: “We do not accept this.”
What the new period brings
The newly-elected leader continued in his post to clarify what the new period since he took office means for the island, intercommunal relations and the future of Turkish Cypriots.
“A new period means the following:
a) The Turkish Cypriots want a solution.
b) For the period until a solution, they do not accept being ignored, nor do they accept that actions which will bind the future of the whole island are carried out solely on the basis of the Greek Cypriot side’s will, without their own will.
c) The Turkish Cypriots see, say and explain that these unilateral initiatives do not contribute to a solution, stability or peace on the island or in the region.
d) While the Turkish Cypriots bring to the negotiating table proposals that will benefit both sides, ease daily life and pave the way to a solution, they also continue, using every available opportunity, their efforts to engage with the world.”
Ankara accuses GCs of usurping TC rights
Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry also commented on the Cyprus-Lebanon EEZ agreement, calling on the international community “not to lend support to attempts to usurp the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots, who are sovereign equals on the island”.
Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli argued the Cyprus Republic signs EEZ agreements with its neighbours (Egypt, Israel and Lebanon) “in disregard of the Turkish Cypriots who are sovereign equals on the island”.
Although the area with Lebanon lies outside Turkey’s claimed continental shelf, the agreement “directly concerns the equal rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots on the island,” he said.
Keçeli argued that the Cyprus Republic “neither represents the Turkish Cypriots nor the island as a whole” and therefore does not have the authority to undertake such steps.
Turkey, together with the Turkish Cypriots, will continue to resolutely defend the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots, he concluded.