Erhürman Receives Yılmaz: Being At The Table Does Not Mean Abandoning Rights Or Political Equality

Speaking after his meeting with Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Erhürman stressed that equal sovereignty and political rights are non-negotiable. Yılmaz, for his part, said the sovereignty rights of the Turkish Cypriot people are indisputable.

President Erhürman received Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz at the Presidential Complex. The meeting lasted around an hour and a half and was held first between delegations, followed by a one-to-one discussion. Both leaders made statements afterwards.

Erhürman: It Is Important For Us To Meet From Time To Time And Consult On Issues

President Erhürman said relations between the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus cannot be likened to relations between any two other states, stressing the importance of maintaining dialogue and consultation through regular contacts.

“We Will Not Tolerate Violations Of Our Equal Sovereign Rights On The Ground”

Erhürman said he distinguishes between a “discussion table” and a “negotiation table” in his approach to the Cyprus issue, noting that past experiences must be taken into account. Emphasising that the Turkish Cypriot people are one of the two equal founding partners on the island and possess equal sovereign rights, he said there would be no tolerance for violations of these rights on the ground. He added that, particularly with the Greek Cypriot side holding the EU Presidency, certain approaches have become even more unacceptable.

Reiterating that the Turkish Cypriot side has never avoided dialogue, Erhürman said being at the table does not mean relinquishing rights, interests or political equality. He noted that there is also a “world beyond the table” and that Türkiye contributes, through diplomatic channels, to enabling the Turkish Cypriot people to connect with the world. Erhürman said he was pleased to work in this spirit since taking office and expressed hope for continued cooperation.

Yılmaz: Our Efforts Continue Both On Cyprus And For The Development Of The TRNC

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said he was pleased to be at the Presidency once again, describing relations between Türkiye and the TRNC as “very special” and noting that such meetings are always beneficial.

Yılmaz said joint efforts on the Cyprus issue are continuing, while at the same time cooperation is being carried out on many projects under financial assistance programmes aimed at supporting the development and prosperity of the TRNC. He said the goal is to expand this cooperation in the coming period.

“We Will Work On An Economic Structure That Enables The TRNC To Stand On Its Own Feet”

Stressing the importance of entrepreneurship alongside public investments, Yılmaz said they want to focus more on production, particularly by supporting women and young entrepreneurs, and on building an economic structure that enables Northern Cyprus to stand on its own feet. He recalled that meetings with government officials and representatives of the business community would also be held during his visit.

Yılmaz said Türkiye, as the motherland and guarantor country, closely follows developments on Cyprus and continues its work in dialogue with President Erhürman, adding: “Turkish Cypriots are never alone.”

Condemning statements made by the Greek Cypriot side in the context of the EU Presidency, Yılmaz said these remarks do not align with past experiences or present realities, adding: “We will continue to defend our rightful position on every platform.”

“Those Who Cannot Accept Equal Sovereignty Should Not Speak Of A Solution”

Yılmaz stressed that the sovereignty rights of the Turkish Cypriot people are beyond debate, saying: “Those who cannot accept the concept of equal sovereignty should not speak of a solution. The realities of the island are clear. There are two separate states and two separate peoples. Statements made without recognising these realities have no validity.”

He added that the existence of two states does not preclude cooperation, criticising those who avoid even the smallest steps towards cooperation, and described this as a test of sincerity. Yılmaz said the presence of Turkish troops on the island brings stability and security, benefiting not only Turkish Cypriots but also Greek Cypriots.

Yılmaz also welcomed the increased visibility of Northern Cyprus in recent years within platforms such as the Organisation of Turkic States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, stating that Türkiye’s support would continue to ensure the TRNC becomes more active and visible internationally.

Yılmaz’s Programme

Following the meeting, Cevdet Yılmaz attended the launch ceremony of the Smart Transportation System Electronic Enforcement and Smart Junction Project at the Concorde Hotel in Nicosia. He later held a meeting with the TRNC Economic Organisations Platform at the Acapulco Hotel before concluding his contacts and leaving the island in the evening.