Ertuğruloğlu: Relying on Actors Behind the Problem Will Not Bring Success

Arguing that the main cause of the deadlock in the Cyprus problem was the approach of the Greek Cypriot administration, as well as the UN and EU’s alleged one-sided support for the Greek Cypriot side, Ertuğruloğlu said the future of the Turkish Cypriot people could be secured through “the recognition of two sovereign equal states and the recognition of the Turkish Cypriot people’s equal international status.”

Ertuğruloğlu said protecting the sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and advancing the Cyprus national cause required acting on realities rather than “wishful thinking.”

“The only basis that can guarantee the existence and future of the Turkish Cypriot people is the recognition of two sovereign equal states and the recognition of the Turkish Cypriot people’s equal international status,” he said.

In a statement responding to President Tufan Erhürman’s remarks that they were “ready to make progress on all seven areas highlighted by the UN Secretary-General,” Ertuğruloğlu argued that the main cause of the deadlock in the Cyprus problem was the Greek Cypriot administration, together with what he described as the biased approach of the UN and EU in protecting and encouraging the Greek Cypriot side.

“It is clear who our counterpart is and which actors are sustaining this unjust status quo. Claiming that the international community has been drawn to an undefined ‘line’ is not a diplomatic success, but rather wishful thinking detached from rational realities,” he said.

Ertuğruloğlu stressed that relying on the actors he identified as being behind the problem would not bring success, saying:

“Pretending not to know who we are dealing with when it is already known is not a story of political skill or success.

“Our counterpart is not only the Greek Cypriot administration, but also the UN and EU, which encourage it. Claiming that you have brought these actors to an undefined ‘line’ is wishful thinking.

“Shouldn’t people take a careful look at whom they are relying on and make the right analysis?”