Dialogos

Erhurman: Turkish Cypriots Won't Accept Solution Without Political Equality

Published January 26, 2026, 19:00
Erhurman: Turkish Cypriots Won't Accept Solution Without Political Equality

Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhurman, stated that Turkish Cypriots will not accept a solution to the Cyprus issue that does not guarantee political equality. He emphasized that Turkish Cypriots consider themselves equal founding partners of the island and will not relinquish their sovereign rights. Erhurman mentioned that any negotiation process must have a time limit, otherwise Turkish Cypriots will continue to institutionalize their own structure. He expressed his desire for the best possible relations with Turkey, reminding of its role as a guarantor power on the island. In an interview, Erhurman accused the “Greek Cypriot leadership” of being unwilling to share power, sovereignty, and the natural resources of Cyprus with Turkish Cypriots. He referred to the 2004 referendums on the Annan Plan and the Crans-Montana process in 2017, where, he said, the “Greek Cypriot leadership” rejected political equality. Erhurman stated that Turkish Cypriots want a solution that respects their rights to equality, sovereignty, and security, and that they will not participate in negotiations that do not have this goal. He reaffirmed that political equality is a non-negotiable prerequisite for any agreement.