Akpınar Says Guterres Visit Fell Short of Turkish Cypriot Expectations

In a written statement, Akpınar said Guterres' visit and meetings represented "a carefully conducted, constructive process aimed at keeping the search for a solution alive."

He said the Secretary-General's meetings with the two leaders, the guarantor powers and civil society representatives demonstrated the United Nations' continued commitment to its coordinating and facilitating role in the Cyprus issue.

Akpınar added that assessments indicating a new expanded 5+1 meeting would not take place before confidence-building measures are advanced provide an important diplomatic framework for the next phase of the negotiation process.

Referring to the increasingly fragile security environment in the Eastern Mediterranean, regional tensions and Cyprus' strategic importance, Akpınar said Guterres' diplomatic messaging carried significant implications for the international community.

"We, as the Democratic Party, thank the Secretary-General, his representatives and the United Nations for this constructive approach and diplomatic effort," he said.

'Turkish Cypriots' Core Expectations Were Not Met'

Despite the positive diplomatic atmosphere, Akpınar argued that the Turkish Cypriot community's most fundamental expectations remain unmet.

He said that decades later, Turkish Cypriots continue to face international isolation, with young people encountering barriers in education, athletes excluded from international competitions, artists restricted in cultural activities, businesspeople facing obstacles in economic relations and the community experiencing limitations in international representation.

Akpınar argued that these issues should now be viewed not only as political matters but also as questions of fundamental human rights.

He called on the United Nations to develop new mechanisms that would ease the daily lives of Turkish Cypriots, expand their international contacts and alleviate what he described as humanitarian isolation, even in the absence of a comprehensive settlement.

"This is no longer something that can be postponed; it is a necessity," he said.

'A Strong TRNC Is Essential'

Akpınar said the prolonged lack of a settlement has directly affected the TRNC's economic, social and demographic structure, arguing that resilience depends on strong state institutions, determined reforms and governance based on collective wisdom.

He said the Democratic Party believes the future of the Turkish Cypriot community cannot be left solely to the negotiating table, calling for broader diplomatic engagement involving UN Security Council members and guarantor powers Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Akpınar also stressed the need to build a stronger TRNC through reforms in the economy, higher education, tourism, production and digital transformation.

As a coalition partner, he said the DP would continue to fulfil its responsibilities, while pledging, as a Kyrenia MP, to keep defending the rights of the public and supporting solution-oriented politics.

"A strong TRNC cannot exist by simply waiting for negotiations at the negotiating table. It must also stand on the strength of its economy, institutions, democracy and the self-confidence of its people," he said.

Concluding his statement, Akpınar called for a higher level of politics and a culture of shared leadership focused on state interests rather than daily political disputes, saying the Democratic Party was ready to lead reforms, consensus-building and national unity efforts aimed at shaping the country's future.