Çeler: Deadlock on the Cyprus Issue Means Collapse

Speaking on a programme hosted by Ulaş Barış on Kıbrıs Postası TV, Çeler made a series of remarks on the Cyprus issue, the upcoming elections, the economy, labour policies and his party's political roadmap.

Ahead of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' visit to Cyprus, Çeler said the deadlock on the Cyprus issue was particularly damaging for Turkish Cypriots.

Turning to domestic politics, he argued that holding two elections on the same day would create chaos and claimed that UBP supporters would deliver "the biggest lesson in history" to the party's current leadership.

'Guterres' visit is a strategic opportunity'

Describing Guterres' first visit to the island in 16 years as a significant development, Çeler said it could mark the beginning of a new phase in the Cyprus problem.

He argued that the expanded 5+1 meetings should not be held merely for the sake of dialogue, stressing that discussions should move beyond crossing points and technical issues toward strategic matters capable of paving the way for a settlement.

Çeler also said the Schengen process should not be viewed independently of efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, warning that Turkish Cypriots would once again be on the losing side if the two were treated separately.

He added that recent messages from Turkey had also been noteworthy, saying he believed Ankara was becoming more open to a settlement than in the past due to its relations with the European Union, NATO, Eastern Mediterranean energy policies and broader regional developments.

'The deadlock is no longer sustainable'

Çeler said the Cyprus issue had economic and social consequences as well as political ones, arguing that the absence of a settlement was leaving Turkish Cypriots increasingly isolated.

Highlighting the rising cost of living, cultural erosion and concerns over identity, he said, "We are beginning to feel as though the north of Cyprus is no longer Cyprus."

He argued that maintaining the status quo was pushing Turkish Cypriots backwards in every field and called for stronger support for efforts to achieve a settlement.

'DP and YDP are being ignored within the government'

Çeler said holding local and general elections on the same day would be a mistake, claiming it would deliberately create confusion among voters.

He also accused the UBP of disregarding its coalition partners, alleging that the Democratic Party (DP) and the Re-Birth Party (YDP) were effectively being ignored within the government.

Claiming that many UBP supporters were dissatisfied with the current leadership, Çeler said, "National Unity Party members will teach their own leadership the biggest lesson in history."

Addressing proposals to abolish cross-voting, he argued that voters' choices should not be restricted by legal prohibitions. He also said lowering the electoral threshold would strengthen democracy by allowing a broader range of political views to be represented in parliament.

'TDP is ready for the elections'

Çeler said cooperation with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) in the local elections would continue, adding that the two parties could work together in different regions.

He argued that cooperation during the presidential election had not weakened the TDP but had instead increased its public visibility, adding that recent opinion polls had produced encouraging results for the party.

Çeler said the party was close to finalising its list of candidates and would present figures who remained closely connected to society and would distinguish themselves through their work in parliament.

'We will create more opportunities for young people'

Çeler said the party attached special importance to promoting younger members, describing Secretary-General Redif Ekinci as one of the best examples of that approach.

Arguing that parliament should include more young representatives, he said the party supported re-establishing the Ministry of Technology and Digital Transformation as well as the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

He stressed that young people should be involved not only in political rhetoric but also in decision-making mechanisms, saying this principle formed the basis of the party's political approach.

'Minimum wage debates have become a vicious cycle'

Reflecting on his tenure as labour minister, Çeler said repeated increases in the minimum wage had lost much of their value because they were quickly offset by rising prices.

He advocated introducing a sector-based minimum salary system and argued that wage policies should be based on fairness rather than strict equality.

Çeler also called for stronger incentives to boost youth employment in the private sector, saying local labour market policies could no longer be postponed.

'Undeclared employment and human trafficking must be tackled'

Çeler said that while serving as labour minister he had carried out an intensive campaign against undeclared employment, claiming inspections had declined significantly after he left office.

He cited examples involving foreign workers brought to the country, alleging that some consultancy companies were acting as intermediaries in human trafficking.

Referring to the case of two Pakistani workers, Çeler said the work permit system required much stricter oversight, adding: "If we return to government, we will take a much more determined approach on this issue."