Denktaş: Cyprus Issue Is About the Future, Not Political Gain

TAM Party leader Serdar Denktaş said the Cyprus issue goes beyond day-to-day political calculations and urged all political parties to unite around a common position.

Speaking on Kıbrıs Postası, Denktaş assessed UN Secretary-General António Guterres' visit to Cyprus and argued that the United Nations itself bears responsibility for the prolonged deadlock in the Cyprus issue.

He said political consensus within the Turkish Cypriot community, together with Turkey's support, was essential to strengthening its position in any future negotiations.

Denktaş argued that, under the current circumstances, the Greek Cypriot side would not agree to share power or accept any form of federation, regardless of pressure from the United Nations, as long as it continued to be recognised internationally as the island's sole legitimate authority.

He also criticised the UN for failing to require the Greek Cypriot side to compromise, arguing that this had removed any incentive for cooperation with Turkish Cypriots.

"The UN is not creating conditions that encourage compromise by the south. People's hopes are raised and then disappointed. That disappointment turns into indifference, and indifference leads to corruption, irregularities, social unrest and migration. Is this our destiny? I say it is not," he said.

'Imposed Solutions Would Lead to Conflict'

Denktaş argued that UN Security Council Resolution 186 remained the main source of the current deadlock and called for an end to political divisions within the Turkish Cypriot community.

He said a united political front would also secure Turkey's full backing, warning that without such unity an externally imposed solution could emerge.

He cautioned against any settlement being imposed without a referendum, saying such a scenario could once again push the island towards conflict.

'All Political Parties Must Come Together'

Denktaş said new initiatives should be directed towards the United Nations rather than the Greek Cypriot side, adding that internal unity and Turkey's support were essential.

He proposed that the President convene an inclusive dialogue involving all political parties, both inside and outside parliament, to develop a common position on the Cyprus issue.

"If we achieve unity among ourselves and have Turkey's support, we can explain our case to the world. But if political polarisation continues for the sake of political gain, we will not be able to convince anyone," he said.

Denktaş said reaching consensus on the Cyprus issue would mean completing "half the journey," adding that Turkey's backing would bring the Turkish Cypriot side much closer to achieving its objectives.

"The Cyprus issue is not about small political interests. It is about our future. By allowing it to remain unresolved, we are destroying our own future," he said.

'The Country Is in Steady Decline'

Turning to domestic politics, Denktaş argued that both government policies and the opposition's approach had contributed to the country's decline.

He urged voters to assess carefully the promises and long-term vision of political candidates ahead of the elections, saying merely replacing one set of politicians with another would not solve the country's problems.

Denktaş said his party was asking voters to "lend us your vote," pledging to earn public trust through its performance if elected.