DP Hopes Guterres Visit Will Deliver Progress in Cyprus Talks

In a statement issued following a joint meeting of the DP Party Assembly and Central Executive Board, DP Secretary-General and MP Serhat Akpınar said he hoped Guterres' meetings on the island would contribute to lasting peace, mutual trust and stability.

Akpınar said the Cyprus issue had become synonymous with unfulfilled international commitments, unenforced decisions and the political, economic and international injustices faced by the Turkish Cypriot people.

He argued that the United Nations should go beyond its role as a facilitator between the parties and take the lead in implementing the commitments previously made to Turkish Cypriots, saying this was essential to restoring confidence in the international community.

Referring to the 2004 Annan Plan referendum as a turning point, Akpınar said Turkish Cypriots had demonstrated their willingness to support a settlement, yet promises to end their isolation had not been fulfilled.

He added that removing obstacles to the Turkish Cypriot people's political equality, sovereign rights and direct engagement with the international community remains an important responsibility for the United Nations.

According to Akpınar, a lasting settlement must be based on the equality of the two peoples, mutual respect, security and sovereign will.

He also called on the UN to demonstrate its impartiality through concrete actions and to introduce confidence-building mechanisms aimed at implementing past international commitments, arguing that such steps would help restore hope in Cyprus.

Akpınar stressed the importance of Guterres' meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman during the visit.

He concluded by saying the Democratic Party would continue to support peace, stability and cooperation in Cyprus and expressed hope that Guterres' visit would contribute to a better understanding of the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and mark the beginning of a fair, realistic and sustainable process for the future.