cyprus negotiations — cyprus negotiations — Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman has stated that the European Union should support efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem from outside the negotiating table, rather than participating directly in future talks. In an interview with Turkish newspaper Gazete Pencere, following a meeting with the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy for Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, Erhurman emphasised the importance of a well-prepared groundwork before any negotiations can begin.
Erhurman noted that the process is ongoing in “full consultation and coordination” with Ankara, asserting there are no disagreements with the Turkish government. He expressed that while the Turkish Cypriot side is not opposed to a new 5+1 conference format, which would involve Turkey, Greece, Britain, and both Cypriot sides along with the United Nations, certain conditions must be met beforehand.
“We do not have an approach that says there should be no 5+1 meeting if conditions have not fully matured,” he explained. “But for such a meeting to take place, we need to know that the necessary preliminary preparations have been made.” He outlined four fundamental conditions for any new negotiation process: political equality must remain non-negotiable, discussions should follow a clear timetable, there should be reaffirmation of previous agreements, and the current status quo must not be reinstated if the Greek Cypriot side withdraws.
Erhurman stressed, “We will not participate in a framework without a timetable and without a deadline. The United Nations is well aware of this.” His remarks highlight the necessity for an organised and timely approach to negotiations, which he believes are vital for progress.
Addressing speculation about his relationship with Ankara, Erhurman dismissed any concerns about potential tensions with the Turkish government. He insisted that all developments related to the Cyprus issue are conducted in collaboration with Turkey. “At the moment we are in full consultation and coordination, and this continues on a daily basis,” he remarked. “We are continuing the process in complete coordination and consultation without encountering any problems whatsoever.”
When discussing the role of the European Union, Erhurman articulated that the bloc should not be a participant in the negotiations due to the Republic of Cyprus being an EU member state. He argued that this membership would compromise the neutrality essential to the negotiation process. “The common position of Turkey and ourselves is that the European Union cannot be one of the parties sitting at the negotiating table,” he stated.
However, he did acknowledge that the EU could still play a constructive role from the outside. He suggested that the EU could assist in lifting what the Turkish Cypriot side perceives as isolation measures and restrictions on direct trade. Erhurman expressed, “I believe that this time the EU owes us a contribution, not through its presence at the table, but by facilitating the process through actions outside it.”
While he refrained from expressing outright optimism or pessimism about the current diplomatic efforts, Erhurman acknowledged the significance of the UN secretary-general’s new initiative. “In an environment where the UN secretary-general is launching a new initiative, it would not be right to say there is no hope,” he said, indicating a willingness to engage constructively in the ongoing dialogue.
Erhurman concluded, “We will try to contribute to the process in good faith, but it is still far too early for me to say whether I am optimistic or pessimistic.” His comments underscore a cautious yet open approach to the complex negotiations surrounding Cyprus.
