Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu emphasised that the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin’s primary task is to assess whether there’s common ground for negotiations between the two sides. He made it clear that her role doesn’t extend to proposing tripartite or quintet meetings, Kibris Postasi reports.
He pointed out that the driving force behind Holguin’s insistent policies seems to be Britain, questioning the reasons behind their persistence and suggesting it’s part of a larger strategy to undermine their principled stance.
Ertuğruloğlu highlighted that the Cyprus issue has been thoroughly discussed for the past six decades, and with Holguin’s six-month term nearing its end, there are suspicions that efforts are being made to prolong her tenure.
Regarding the leader of the opposition party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman’s remarks on equality emerging from tripartite meetings, Ertuğruloğlu dismissed the notion, stating that true equality would have led to an agreement by now. He refused to engage in symbolic equality games and reiterated the Turkish Cypriot stance on sovereignty.
Ertuğruloğlu criticised the Greek Cypriot side’s insincerity in establishing a federal partnership, accusing them of wasting sixty years with empty promises.
He emphasised the losses suffered by Turkish Cypriots over the years compared to the Greek Cypriot side and questioned the fulfilment of UN promises.
Ertuğruloğlu stressed the need for a realistic approach, stating that relying on the UN, EU, or others for solutions is risky and untenable.
He reiterated Holguin’s task of identifying common ground for negotiations but clarified that she lacks the authority to propose meetings.
Ertuğruloğlu argued that non-recognition doesn’t negate existence and pointed out the atrocities suffered by Turkish Cypriots despite the presence of the UN Peacekeeping Force.
He firmly stated his opposition to any structure compromising territorial integrity and sole sovereignty, regardless of Greek Cypriot acceptance.
Ertuğruloğlu questioned the reliability of the EU, especially since Turkey’s membership is pending, emphasising that Turkish Cypriots don’t currently seek EU integration.
He outlined the policy’s foundation of challenging the Republic of Cyprus’s sole sovereignty claim, insisting that negotiations under this premise are futile.
Ertuğruloğlu advocated for a principled policy based on the island’s realities, suggesting a need for a fresh approach beyond past failed dialogues.
He acknowledged the importance of negotiation in diplomacy but rejected wasting time on fruitless talks.
Accusing Holguin of overstepping the bounds of her role, Ertuğruloğlu urged her to report to the UN Secretary-General on the absence of common ground.
He cautioned against Holguin involving herself in tasks beyond her mandate, rejecting the notion that partnership with the Greek Cypriots is the only viable option.
Kibris Postasi
