Any prejudices about the Turkish Cypriot community must be dispelled, said new leader Tufan Erhürman, after the dust settled following Sunday’s landslide victory over Ersin Tatar and significantly, prior to a tone-setting visit to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In an interview with Turkiye media outlet, Erhürman confirmed that Ankara remains the "undisputed guarantor power" and that he will pursue both the Cyprus issue and foreign policy in consultation and coordination with the Turkish government.
"My first visit will be in Ankara," he said, as expected, adding that a ‘swearing in’ process will be held on Friday. He noted that he has already spoken with Erdogan, who congratulated Erhürman, adding, "It was a nice conversation."
Relations with Turkey are of "vital importance" to the Turkish Cypriots, Erhürman noted, in a message days before his trip.
"Turkey is an undisputed guarantor power on the island and our bond cannot be compared with relations between two simple states. We are brotherly countries and our peoples are brotherly peoples. Turkey’s guarantor status is of decisive importance for the Turkish Cypriots," the new Turkish Cypriot leader noted.
The tradition of consultation and coordination will continue, Erhürman said. "No one should be in any doubt," he said, adding, "My role is to upgrade even further the level of relations between the two sides."
“During the campaign period and after the elections, for the first time in years we saw such strong interest from the Turkish press in Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots. I consider this positive and believe it will help us get to know each other better. I know certain prejudices have formed in Turkey, but I am sure that with proper, healthy communication they will be dispelled very soon,” he said.
The Turkish media outlet noted in its report that during his victory speech, Erhürman publicly thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, even asking the crowd to applaud them. Türkiye described this as a “gesture of goodwill” and respect toward Turkey.