The upcoming expanded Cyprus meeting in Geneva this March was a key topic during Tuesday’s discussions in the TRNC Parliament.

Lawmakers from the opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) underscored the importance of resuming negotiations, while Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu reaffirmed that the Turkish Cypriot side would be attending the talks with the objective of discussing cooperation between two states.

CTP MP for Girne, Fikri Toros, emphasized that the Geneva meeting should focus on shared rights and interests, paving the way for a path towards peace, security, and stability. He highlighted the potential positive regional developments that could follow a resolution of the Cyprus issue.

Similarly, CTP MP for Güzelyurt, Armağan Candan, pointed out that in the absence of negotiations, the Greek Cypriot administration had been increasing its unilateral actions and securing agreements without consultation. Candan argued that the lack of a negotiation process enabled the Greek Cypriots to act freely without accountability.

Responding to the opposition MPs, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu criticized the notion that simply calling for negotiations would lead to a resolution.

“Unless there is consensus on what the actual problem is, we will continue to debate endlessly in this chamber. Explain how you expect to resolve this by negotiating with the Greek Cypriots. You say we are giving them opportunities – does the world bear no responsibility in this?” he asked.

Ertuğruloğlu argued that the Greek Cypriot side was not taking unilateral steps due to the absence of negotiations, but rather because it is internationally recognized as the “Republic of Cyprus.” He insisted that as long as the world continues to accept this status, negotiations—even for another 60 years—would not yield results.

“The issue is not whether negotiations exist or not. The problem is that the Greek Cypriots are recognized as the sole sovereign entity. Any proposal that imposes territorial integrity and single sovereignty on us is unacceptable,” Ertuğruloğlu stated.

Ertuğruloğlu noted that while the Greek Cypriot side, with the backing of other countries, would push for a continuation of the Crans-Montana framework, the Turkish Cypriot delegation would focus on discussing inter-state cooperation.

“If we are blamed for this, so be it. We have done nothing wrong. We did not create the Cyprus problem,” he said.

Reaffirming that the TRNC’s stance is based on sovereign equality and the existence of two states, Ertuğruloğlu stressed that Turkish Cypriot policy is shaped in coordination with Türkiye.

“Our Cyprus policy is determined with Türkiye and pursued together,” he concluded.