Erhürman: Talks Must Aim At A Solution, Not Talks For Their Own Sake

In a written statement, Erhürman said:

“My experience regarding the unresolved Cyprus problem is very clear to me.

I have not said this only after the presidential election or during the election period. Throughout my political life, I have seen, thought about and explained that the biggest obstacle to a solution is the Greek Cypriot leadership’s refusal to accept political equality.

This is also why the first article of the four-point methodology proposal I put on the table is political equality.

I said that I would not move from a talks table to a negotiation table without agreement on methodology, yes. I said this both before and after the election. Why? Because after so many disappointments, if a negotiation table is to be established, I do not want it to create a new disappointment. I do not want negotiations for the sake of negotiations; I want negotiations for the sake of a solution. And I know that without political equality, there will be no solution.

Why am I saying all this once again today? Normally, I do not repeat what I say on a television programme. Everything I said is already there. However, from time to time, by changing the place of words in certain sentences, an impression is created as if something was said when it was not. If you explain, people say, ‘There was no need.’ If you do not explain, they say, ‘Since he did not deny it, he accepts it exactly as it is.’

Therefore, although I know it is not really necessary, I wanted to clarify once again. There is nothing new. I am doing exactly what I told my people I would do during the election. Large segments of my people want a solution. So do I. Large segments of my people do not call an ‘agreement’ without political equality a solution. Neither do I.

On this issue, nothing has changed, and nothing will change.”