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Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman has sharply criticized recent statements by President Nikos Christodoulides, calling them “beyond what is feasible and logical” and accusing the government of sending mixed messages about the future of Cyprus peace talks.
In comments reported by Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen, Erhurman said he sees inconsistencies in the president’s positions on how negotiations to resolve the Cyprus problem should move forward.
According to Erhurman, the government’s approach appears to shift between different ideas, from restarting talks where they collapsed in 2017 at Crans-Montana to proposing a five-point roadmap and more recently suggesting that Turkish Cypriots could return under the framework of the Republic of Cyprus.
He argued that these changing proposals create confusion about the Greek Cypriot side’s actual strategy.
Erhurman also dismissed discussions surrounding issues such as Cyprus potentially joining NATO, the future of the British bases, and recognition matters involving Turkey, describing such ideas as “products of imagination.” He claimed the statements suggest uncertainty and possibly even political pressure on the government.
Referring to remarks made by the president during events marking Greece’s 1821 War of Independence, Erhurman said historical references should not be taken seriously in the context of today’s Cyprus issue. Instead, he argued, lessons should be drawn from more recent milestones, including developments linked to the Cyprus negotiations in 2004 and the failed talks in 2017.
He concluded by saying the Turkish Cypriot side approaches the issue with “logic, will, seriousness and consistency,” adding that he hopes the same applies to the other side.
The exchange highlights renewed political tension between the two sides at a time when international efforts to revive stalled reunification negotiations remain uncertain, nearly eight years after talks broke down in Switzerland.
