The leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Tufan Erhürman departed for New York on Monday as part of efforts to engage in discussions concerning the Cyprus solution process, coinciding with the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s ongoing sessions.
Accompanying Erhürman on the trip will be CTP’s Secretary for External Relations and Member of Parliament, Fikri Toros.
The CTP leader is scheduled to speak at the Socialist International meeting on September 25, within the framework of the UN General Assembly, under the theme “Investing in Dialogue and Diplomacy.”
Furthermore, Erhürman will meet with the UN Assistant Secretary-General, Miroslav Jenca.
In addition, he is expected to hold bilateral meetings with representatives from various countries, where he aims to share CTP’s vision for a resolution and foster a more active dialogue within the UN.
Prior to his departure, Erhürman held a press conference at Ercan Airport, where he provided details on his upcoming engagements in New York. He emphasized that the Socialist International, of which CTP is a member, is an international organization, and during the meeting, they would represent the Turkish Cypriot people.
Addressing the situation in the region, Erhürman mentioned recent significant developments, including conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
He underscored that the region is undergoing a struggle for repositioning, and the Cyprus issue is entering a dynamic period as well.
Erhürman reiterated that CTP remains committed to participating in critical dialogues and meetings regarding the Cyprus issue and highlighted the importance of directly informing international actors about the concerns and circumstances of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Reflecting on the political status of the Turkish Cypriots, Erhürman pointed out that they are one of the two equal founding parties on the island and had voted in favor of the Annan Plan.
He stressed that while the Turkish Cypriots have consistently shown a willingness for peace, their desired position has not yet been achieved.
Emphasizing the need for the global community to recognize the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots and their rights within the UN framework, Erhürman noted, “The new negotiations will not be like the previous ones. The earlier methods did not lead to a solution. A new process must begin, considering these lessons, with correct methods. The political equality of the Turkish Cypriots is non-negotiable.”
He also highlighted that the upcoming negotiations must be time-bound and result-oriented, as the Turkish Cypriots are not willing to lose more years in fruitless talks. Additionally, Erhürman urged that any collapse of negotiations should not lead to a return to the current status quo, and that the UN must ensure this.
He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities in the energy sector as part of a broader resolution.
In closing, Erhürman stated that the six-day visit to New York would be packed with crucial meetings aimed at explaining the Turkish Cypriot perspective clearly and effectively to international audiences.