Just hours before the process is set to begin for the election of a new Turkish Cypriot leader in the occupied territories, main candidates, Ersin Tatar and Tufan Erhürman, focused heavily on the Cyprus issue, as it continues to feature quite prominently in the Turkish Cypriot public consciousness.
In statements to daily "Türkiye," Tatar referenced the presence of the Turkish military, which he considers ‘essential,’ and argues that ‘its withdrawal would make the region worse than Gaza.’
The Turkish Cypriot leader—who spent the entire ‘pre-election period’ fending off attacks from his opponent that he had failed to ensure any form of momentum over the past five years, resulting in a difficult situation for his community—maintained that he has been defending the ‘two-state solution’ for 40 years.
As the Cyprus News Agency reports, he continues to tow the line that that the so-called ‘TRNC’ should continue to exist as a separate ‘state.’
‘The motherland must remain a guarantor. The presence of the Turkish military is necessary for security and deterrence,’ he argues, referring to ‘martyrs and pain here.’
In the same interview, Tatar revisited one of his recent arguments, namely that Israel and Greece are against his ‘re-election,’ citing, as he says, relevant reports in Israeli and Greek media. In fact, he developed a novel fear-mongering theory, claiming that Cyprus and Israel have deployed weapons systems at bases that can target the ‘TRNC’ and Turkey.
‘Given the will’
On the opposing side, Tufan Erhürman notes the strong will of Turkish Cypriots to achieve a solution that should move within the parameters of a federation, as he interprets and understands it.
Speaking at the mixed community of Pyla, he noted the importance of who will lead the Cyprus issue negotiations on the Turkish Cypriot side, also focusing on the need for appropriate communication and full cooperation with Turkey so that its international support can be ‘utilised in the most effective manner possible, exactly as happened with the establishment of the property commission.’
Erhürman also appeared to consider the development of Turkey-Greece relations as of particular significance, firmly supporting the view that if the climate of peace between Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece improves, will bring a new breath of life throughout the region.
‘Relations that produce results at all levels with international actors, such as the United Nations, the European Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Organisation of Turkic States are essential.’
Erhürman believes that the current status quo and deadlock are not viable conditions. ‘The Turkish Cypriot people are one of the two equal constituent parts of the island and cannot be ignored, he concluded.