Tufan Erhürman has said he cannot disclose what Turkish officials told him regarding the reported ban on Turkish Cypriots entering Turkey, citing fundamental principles of diplomacy.
Speaking in a television interview, Erhürman said it would be neither appropriate nor possible to reveal the content of his meetings in Ankara, despite having raised the issue repeatedly with Turkish officials.
The matter dominates front pages in the Turkish Cypriot press, with newspapers highlighting his remarks that he is “not in a position” to share what was conveyed to him.
According to reports, Erhürman clarified that during his election campaign he had not promised to resolve the issue within 10 days, but rather to raise it with Turkish authorities within that timeframe. He described the situation as a serious problem and warned that ongoing uncertainty does not contribute positively to relations between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community.
He added that the issue has been raised in every meeting he has held in Turkey as part of his duties, stressing that it is not limited to a small number of individuals. While 16 Turkish Cypriots are known to have been directly affected so far, he said the number of those concerned or potentially impacted is much larger.
Erhürman pointed to Turkey’s Interior Ministry as bearing primary responsibility, noting that the “prime minister” and “foreign ministry” are also involved in the process. He added that the “presidency” is not among the main actors but is attempting to assume responsibility where possible.
On restrictions affecting media organisations and their social media accounts, Erhürman said he had contacted representatives of Facebook Turkey, who were unable to clearly identify the source of the problem. He explained that the platform had initially suspended content as a precaution over copyright complaints, but restored it following appeals.
He stressed that identifying the source of the issue remains the key priority, noting that this has not yet been achieved.
Erhürman also expressed dissatisfaction with the overall situation in the north, saying that significant restructuring is required. He argued that while there is an institutional framework in place, it has been damaged and needs to be rebuilt through dialogue across institutions, regardless of who holds office.
“There is a very clear answer to whether I am satisfied with the general situation in the country: No,” he said, adding that this reflects broader levels of dissatisfaction within society.
He concluded that meaningful change would require comprehensive reforms across the economy and other sectors, rather than incremental adjustments, while stressing that relations with Turkey must be placed on a proper and stable footing.
Source: CNA