The leader of the Republican Turkish Party Tufan Erhürman and presidential candidate, answered journalists’ questions in a Special Election broadcast.
Erhürman argued that in the past five years there had been neither negotiations nor steps taken in confidence-building measures, saying: “For five years we ceased to be an actor. We need to very quickly repair the damage caused by these five empty years.”
Touching also on relations with Türkiye, Erhürman said “None of our four Presidents so far have ever carried out a negotiation process without consulting Türkiye. Negotiation processes have always proceeded in parallel with the Republic of Türkiye, and just as it has been so until now, it will continue like this in the future.”
Erhürman expressed the view that although President Tatar constantly speaks of “sovereignty,” it is he himself who truly defends the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people.
“I am determined to claim our share of sovereignty, no matter what. We are one of the two equal founding partners on this island. No decisions can be taken on matters requiring joint decisions without our will,” said Erhürman.
On the issue of a settlement, Erhürman said “The definition of a loose federation is the federation model closest to a confederation, which has always been discussed at the table. If there are two separate states, one in the north and one in the south, how will you claim your rights over hydrocarbons?”
Speaking again about the four points they proposed regarding the Cyprus problem, Erhürman said “If the Greek Cypriot leadership does not accept these four points, then they will not have accepted the UN framework.”
