Erhürman: Turkish Cypriots Will Never Give Up Their Equal Rights on the Island

President Tufan Erhürman attended the 17th Bosphorus Summit in Istanbul together with his wife, Nilden Bektaş Erhürman. Organised by the International Cooperation Platform (UIP) under the theme “Seeking Balance in a Transforming World”, the summit brought together representatives from 63 countries. Erhürman delivered the opening address.

“TRANSFORMATION IS MORE LASTING THAN CHANGE”

Beginning his speech by thanking those who had contributed to organising the event, Erhürman drew attention to the subtle distinction between the concepts of change and transformation in the summit's theme, “Seeking Balance in a Transforming World”. Noting that transformation was more lasting than change, he said recent technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, were among the clearest examples of this transformation.

Erhürman noted that politics was also undergoing change, with the radical right and populist politics gaining prominence in Europe, while diplomatic discourse was increasingly featuring expressions that had not previously been used.

“I see what is happening in technology and artificial intelligence as transformation, while developments in politics and diplomacy are more a matter of change,” Erhürman said.

Recalling that major changes had also taken place in the past, including the Industrial Revolution and the First and Second World Wars, Erhürman stressed that the main difference today was the speed at which transformation was taking place. He said this pace left little time to establish a balance, creating serious challenges for individuals, communities and nations.

“THE RULE OF LAW AND JUSTICE PROVIDE BALANCE”

Stating that the changes and transformation taking place around the world were of direct relevance to Turkish Cypriots, Erhürman noted that power relations and national interests were becoming increasingly influential in international relations, alongside rules and institutional structures.

Arguing that international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union were experiencing serious weaknesses, Erhürman said the response to events in Gaza was one example of this.

Noting that the current period reminded Turkish Cypriots of the years between 1963 and 1974, Erhürman posed the following questions: “Will power now be the determining factor, or will it be rules built on justice and equality? Is security more important, or freedom? Technology, or human rights? Development, or the environment? A power struggle driven by personal or national interests, or cooperation?”

Emphasising, as a lawyer, that power and interests should not be allowed to become the sole determining factors, Erhürman said this would mean the end of humanity. Noting that balance had historically been achieved through law, he said: “Wherever there is a society, there is law.”

“Balance is found in the law. But that law must be built upon values distilled from thousands of years of human history and experience,” Erhürman said.

“TURKISH CYPRIOTS ARE ONE OF THE ISLAND’S EQUAL FOUNDING PARTNERS”

Turning to the Cyprus issue, Erhürman said the issue was often discussed in connection with Turkish Cypriots. He stressed that despite the Turkish Cypriot community's relatively small population and geographical size, it was one of the island's two equal founding partners and enjoyed equal rights on the island.

Recalling that the Turkish Cypriot people had fought for their existence for many years and voted “yes” in the 2004 Annan Plan referendum, Erhürman noted that the Greek Cypriot community had voted “no” to the plan. He said that, following this outcome, Turkish Cypriots had been unable to achieve their goal of changing the status quo and securing their rights to equality.

“DIRECT TRADE REGULATION HAS STILL NOT ENTERED INTO FORCE”

Stating that the European Union had made various commitments after 2004 to help end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, Erhürman referred to the Green Line Regulation, the Financial Aid Regulation and the Direct Trade Regulation.

He said the Green Line Regulation was intended to enable trade with South Cyprus, the Financial Aid Regulation to provide financial assistance from the European Union, and the Direct Trade Regulation to make direct trade with Europe possible. However, despite the passage of time, the Direct Trade Regulation had still not entered into force.

Erhürman argued that the reason was that the Greek Cypriot side had voted against the Annan Plan in the 2004 referendum but had nevertheless become an EU member in the same year. He said the Greek Cypriot side had secured EU membership covering the northern part of the island as well, giving it the ability to prevent the Direct Trade Regulation from entering into force.

ERHÜRMAN RECALLS THE CRANS-MONTANA PROCESS

Erhürman also referred to developments at Crans-Montana in 2017, saying that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side had made significant efforts to reach a settlement in front of the international community.

He said then-Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades had walked away from the negotiating table, saying, “I cannot explain political equality to my own people.” Erhürman noted that nine years had passed since 2017 and that the parties were still facing a similar situation in 2026.

Stating that the European Union and the United Nations continued to call for a settlement in Cyprus, Erhürman said the Turkish Cypriot side also maintained its commitment to dialogue and diplomacy.

“Talks are continuing within this framework. The United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy is currently on the island. We will hold a trilateral meeting on Monday,” he said.

CRITICISM OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE’S MILITARY AGREEMENTS

Referring to UN Secretary-General reports stating that establishing a balance between the economies of the two communities would contribute to the settlement process, Erhürman also drew attention to the military agreements signed by the Greek Cypriot leadership with Israel, the United States and France.

Arguing that these agreements had been concluded without the consent of Turkish Cypriots and without consulting one of the island's two equal founding partners, Erhürman said the moves also placed the Turkish Cypriot side at security risk.

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side had signed the agreements in an effort to establish a military balance with the Republic of Turkey, Erhürman said the presence of major powers in the region would not produce the expected outcome in terms of security.

Addressing the Greek Cypriot community, Erhürman said: “You are signing these agreements by violating our rights and without our consent. However, we also know why you are signing them. You are signing these agreements to establish a military balance with the Republic of Turkey. You believe that you can achieve this balance by having the ‘big brothers’ on your side. But this effort is futile. You cannot establish a military balance with the Republic of Turkey.”

Stating that such steps once again placed the island's security at risk, Erhürman argued that the agreements were neither lawful nor consistent with their stated objectives.

“TURKISH CYPRIOTS WILL NOT GIVE UP THEIR RIGHTS TO EQUALITY AND SECURITY”

Drawing attention to the historical experience of Turkish Cypriots, Erhürman said the community had paid a heavy price to preserve its existence since 1878 and had managed to survive despite difficult circumstances.

Stating that the way to maintain balance despite developments in the world and the region was clear, Erhürman concluded his speech with the following remarks:

“As the world goes through these upheavals today, we know how the world, the island and we ourselves can maintain our balance. Human history has shown us this. What can keep the world, us and individuals in balance in the face of this great transformation is a rules-based way of life built on the values of justice, equality, human dignity and human rights.

“Because we know the way forward, and because we know that the Republic of Turkey has always stood by us and will continue to do so in terms of security, I want to conclude by declaring once again: Turkish Cypriots will never give up their rights to equality, their rights to security or their equal rights over the entire island. Let no one expect otherwise.

“No matter how much the world transforms, it must be known that Turkish Cypriots existed throughout the ages, exist today and will continue to exist for as long as the world turns.”