in-cyprus 27 October 2025 - by Frixos Dalitis
Newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman has outlined firm conditions for future reunification talks, causing concern in the Greek Cypriot community that had hoped for a diplomatic opening after his election.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides avoided commenting on Erhurman’s statements on Saturday, reportedly to prevent “adding fuel to the fire” and avoid being accused of blame-game tactics, according to sources close to the presidency.
In statements to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency last Saturday, Erhurman declared that “Turkey is the guarantor of the entire island and will remain so,” while describing political equality as his “red line” that would not be subject to negotiation.
The new leader emphasised that any future negotiations must have clear timeframes, referencing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s position following the failed talks at Crans-Montana.
“If we’re to sit at the table with a timetable, fine. But if it’s another case of ‘let’s sit and see for another 5 or 7 years,’ the Turkish Cypriot people can no longer tolerate this,” Erhurman said.
He also claimed there was a presence of “foreign military forces” in the Republic of Cyprus’s government-controlled areas, specifically from “Israel, U.S., France, European Union and Britain,” which he said “reinforces the need for Turkey’s guarantor presence”.
Erhurman repeated that no negotiations would take place without consultation with Turkey and announced his first visit would be to Ankara, “according to the tradition of the “trnc” state,” adding that relations between the two sides would strengthen further.
“Improving relations with the Republic of Turkey is something I consider my personal duty and mission,” he stated.
The Turkish Cypriot leader also criticised the Great Sea Interconnector project, claiming its aim was “to leave Turkey out”.
In a Facebook post, Erhurman objected to the European Parliament’s decision to create a monument for missing persons and those killed during the Turkish invasion, following an initiative by MEP Michalis Hatzipantelas. He claimed this decision is “one of the most painful examples of the European Parliament acting as if there are no Turkish Cypriots on the island”.
He further argued that the decision demonstrates how “wrong” it is that the two European Parliament seats that “should belong to Turkish Cypriots” are held by Greek Cypriots, preventing the Parliament “from knowing the truth about Cyprus”.
The Turkish Cypriot “presidency” also issued a statement noting that “as is known, the issue of missing persons that emerged during the 1963-1974 period is a humanitarian issue affecting not only Greek Cypriots but also Turkish Cypriots”.
Greek Cypriot officials expressed disappointment with Erhurman’s stance, as many had hoped the leadership change in the Turkish Cypriot community might create an opportunity for progress in the long-stalled peace process.
