Erhürman: Achieving a Solution is Extremely Important for Regional Peace; We Never Lost Hope for a Solution

The Republican Turkish Party's (CTP) panel on the 20th anniversary of the Annan Plan Referendum, titled "From Yesterday to Today: Annan Plan Referendum," took place with the participation of numerous ambassadors, foreign guests, political parties from the south of Cyprus, and a large crowd. Continuing the events organized by the CTP under the title "This Country is Ours, We Exist, We Write History" for the 20th anniversary of the Annan Plan Referendum, the panel turned into an international event. Among the attendees were Australian High Commissioner Fiona McKergow, Japanese Ambassador Yoshio Yamawaki, Italian Ambassador Federica Ferrari Bravo, Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Ferran, French Ambassador Salina Grenet-Catalano, British High Commissioner Irfan Siddiq, Irish Ambassador Conor Long, United States Embassy Representative, Stefan Simosas, Head of the European Union (EU) Support Office, Colin Stewart, Chief of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, representatives of political parties AKEL, DISY, and Volt from the south of Cyprus, and former DISY Member of Parliament Keti Kleridis.

The panel was moderated by CTP Member of Parliament Fikri Toros. Former Presidents Mehmet Ali Talat, Serdar Denktaş, Mihalis Papapetru, and Andros Kipriyanu participated as speakers, discussing the period and experiences. CTP Leader Tufan Erhürman delivered the opening speech at the panel, emphasizing the urgent need for a solution and peace on the island through the correct methodology. "Achieving a solution on the island is extremely important for regional peace. We cannot afford to make mistakes. We have never lost hope for a solution on this island," Erhürman said, emphasizing their ongoing efforts to nurture these hopes.

Former President Mehmet Ali Talat, speaking at the panel, stated, "If a referendum were held now, a positive result would be achieved on the Turkish Cypriot side," indicating that the problem lies in convincing the Greek Cypriot community. Former Foreign Minister Serdar Denktaş, speaking at the panel, said, "Sharing political equality with us was not convenient for the Greek Cypriot leadership." Former AKEL Secretary-General Andros Kipriyanu stated in his speech that the question of which position to support in the Annan Plan referendum deeply troubled AKEL. Mihalis Papapetru, who served as government spokesman in the Kleridis government and was also part of the negotiation team, said in his speech at the panel, "The revolution of the Turkish Cypriots in 2002-2004 was a great and unprecedented event."

The panel was attended by CTP Secretary-General Asım Akansoy, MPs, representatives of associations, unions, and municipalities, as well as a large number of people from the public. The panel concluded with a question-and-answer session.

ERHÜRMAN: WE CONTINUE OUR DECADES-LONG SUPPORT FOR A FEDERAL SOLUTION

Erhürman, recalling the 20th anniversary of the Annan Plan referendums, emphasized the importance of discussing what happened during that period. CTP Leader Tufan Erhürman, who delivered the opening speech at the panel, said, "We are obliged to analyze and learn from that period for future solution efforts." Erhürman pointed out that one of the most critical points was the 1999 Helsinki Summit, where they thought that the Cyprus issue could not be resolved but it was noted that the "Republic of Cyprus" could become an EU member. He reminded of Papadopoulos' statements during the Annan Plan period on television, crying and saying, "I took a state, I won't leave a community," emphasizing that the Greek Cypriot community's referendum will had caused serious disappointment. Erhürman also noted the 65% yes vote from the Turkish Cypriot side, saying, "This will did not remain in 2004. It continued with Talat and Christofias's negotiation process. During the Eroğlu-Anastasiadis period, the February document was issued. Then, at Crans Montana, the Turkish Cypriot people's determination for a solution was clearly demonstrated."

Erhürman pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot people have continuously maintained their determination for a solution, saying, "As the CTP, if a solution is to be reached in Cyprus, it will be a two-community, two-zone, politically equal federation within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions. We have this information, and we continue our decades-long support for a federal solution."

"POLITICAL EQUALITY CANNOT BE A SUBJECT OF NEGOTIATION"

Erhürman emphasized that the UN Security Council resolutions determine the formula for a solution, highlighting that political equality cannot be subject to negotiation and describing political equality as a "must." Stressing the importance of a scheduled negotiation process, Erhürman said, "This is not our precondition; it is what Guterres said. If negotiations are to start, they must be result-oriented negotiations. This is also the word of the UN. We do not want a negotiation process starting from scratch again, lasting for years. We want a solution. If a referendum is to be held, we want it to be result-oriented, not a negotiation process starting from scratch. This is what we want." Referring to Kofi Annan's 2004 report, Erhürman emphasized that the report stated that there was no valid reason for isolations after the Turkish Cypriots' yes vote. Erhürman also stressed the need to ensure that a return to the status quo is not guaranteed if a solution cannot be reached due to the "foot-dragging" of the Greek Cypriot side, saying, "Another disappointment, which no one has the power for, everyone should realize."

Erhürman emphasized the urgent need for a solution and peace on the island through the correct methodology, saying, "Achieving a solution on the island is extremely important for regional peace. We cannot afford to make mistakes. We have never lost hope for a solution on this island."