Erhürman: The Fundamental Goal of Our Struggle is the Confirmation of Our Equal International Status

Erhürman noted that this would bring the Turkish Cypriot people together with the international community and the law as one of the two equal founding partners on the island. He stated, "The basis of our demand to clarify beforehand that there will be no return to the status quo if a newly established negotiation table collapses once again due to the foot-dragging of the Greek Cypriot leadership is also this."

Erhürman pointed out that today, the demand for "equal international status" is presented as a precondition for the resumption of negotiations, and it is emphasized that this does not mean recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Consequently, he stated that the Turkish Cypriot people have been reduced to the position of the party that does not want a solution in the eyes of the international community.

The main opposition leader Erhürman argued that the current attitude of the Turkish Cypriot side, which "even rejects the inter-leader dialogue under UN auspices," does not advance the people in their struggle for "equal international status" and is not compatible with their will and demands. He called for this stance to be abandoned immediately.

Erhürman made these statements in a written statement titled "Rejection of Equal International Status and Tripartite Meetings."

He stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people are one of the two equal founding partners on the island, saying, "This was the case when the two communities of Cyprus were established in 1960."

Erhürman pointed out that the most important historical event confirming this internationally was the 2004 referendums held on the basis of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) law, in which the Turkish Cypriots expressed their will for a solution. He added, "The will of the Turkish Cypriot people as one of the two founding partners is recorded in the archives of the UN and the international community. However, today, do the two equal founding partners on the island have equal international status? The answer is 'no.' On one side, there is the recognized, UN, and EU member 'Republic of Cyprus.' On the other side, there is only the TRNC recognized by the Republic of Turkey."

Erhürman concluded by stating that the struggle for "equal international status" is actually the focus of the efforts for a solution, saying, "With the solution, this will bring the Turkish Cypriot people together with the international community and the law as one of the two equal founding partners on the island. The basis of our demand for a clarification beforehand that there will be no return to the status quo if a newly established negotiation table collapses once again due to the foot-dragging of the Greek Cypriot leadership is also this."