Newsroom
The Turkish Cypriot community says it is being sidelined once again in agreements affecting the island. Tufan Erhurman, a top Turkish Cypriot politician, criticized the latest deal with Lebanon for ignoring the views of one of the island’s two equal owners.
In a post on social media Wednesday, Erhurman said Greek Cypriot leaders continue to sign agreements on behalf of the entire island while Turkish Cypriots are left out of the process. “Expecting the Turkish Cypriots to just sit back and wait, isolated from the international community, is neither fair nor helpful for a solution,” he wrote.
Erhurman, who has faced criticism in the Greek Cypriot press for his efforts to reach out to international organizations, said his goal is to make sure Turkish Cypriots are heard and their rights protected. He has planned meetings with bodies such as the European Union, the Organization of Turkic States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
According to Erhurman, a “new era” means Turkish Cypriots want a solution, but they will not accept being ignored while Greek Cypriots make decisions that will shape the future of the whole island. He stressed that unilateral initiatives by one side do not promote stability or peace.
“While Turkish Cypriots are at the negotiating table, they are also submitting proposals that will benefit both sides, improve daily life, and pave the way for a lasting solution,” he said. “We will continue to explain this to everyone with patience, composure, and determination.”
