Cyprus Policy Dispute Goes Public in Northern Cyprus

A public exchange over Cyprus policy unfolded on February 20 and 21, 2026, between senior officials in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, TRNC.

On February 20, TRNC President Tufan Erhürman held a press conference addressing developments related to the Cyprus issue. Later the same day, TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu held a separate press conference and directly criticized the president’s approach.

Ertuğruloğlu said he did not believe President Erhürman was deliberately harming the Turkish Cypriot people but added, “I do not believe the President is deliberately pursuing a policy to harm the Turkish Cypriot people. But he is causing harm.”

He argued that the current policy was causing the Turkish Cypriot side to lose time and status.

Addressing terminology used in the debate, Ertuğruloğlu stated, “Sovereign equality and equal sovereignty are not the same. They are fundamentally opposed.” He added, “Sovereign equality means two states. Equal sovereignty means a single state.”

The foreign minister said that advocating equal sovereignty would imply a single state structure and amount to the elimination of the TRNC.

He questioned the president’s stated commitment to remain at the negotiating table, saying, “Which table? With what status will you sit? With what status will the other side sit?”

Referring to the Greek Cypriot side, he said, “The Greek Cypriot side ignores us. The embargoes continue. What do we gain by not leaving the table?”

On relations with Türkiye, Ertuğruloğlu rejected suggestions that the president’s approach was being conducted in consultation with Ankara. He said, “Türkiye is a serious state. It does not adopt one policy today and another tomorrow.”

He reiterated that the policy adopted after 2017 remained two sovereign equal states and equal international status.

Describing the current situation, he said, “The solution is the existing situation. Two sovereign equal neighboring states. This is the de facto solution.”

He added that a de jure settlement would not be possible as long as the Greek Cypriot side continued to be internationally recognized as the Republic of Cyprus, stating, “As long as the Greek Cypriot side continues to be unquestioningly treated as the Republic of Cyprus, a de jure solution in Cyprus is not possible.”

Ertuğruloğlu also stated that he held no personal hostility toward the president, saying, “I have no personal hostility. On the contrary, I have sympathy and respect. But I cannot accept this line.”

He further said, “I am always in consultation with Ankara. I am not someone who speaks according to personal preference.”

Later on February 20, President Erhürman responded via social media. He wrote, “I believe seriousness and courtesy are important in politics.” He added, “I gave up long ago responding to statements that are incompatible with seriousness and with courtesy.”

On the same day, Asım Akansoy, Deputy Group Leader of the Republican Turkish Party, CTP, issued a social media statement addressing the foreign minister’s remarks.

Akansoy wrote, “Dialogue requires mutual respect, Mr. Tahsin.” He added, “First and foremost, respect for the people.”

Referring to President Erhürman’s election three months earlier with 63 percent of the vote, Akansoy argued that dialogue without respect for the clearly expressed will of the electorate would amount to imposition rather than dialogue. He also stated, “If you cannot adapt, then step down. The crisis and tension will end.”

On February 21, Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu answered further questions from journalists. He stated that the Cyprus issue was not solely a matter between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots but “a national cause of the Turkish nation in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

He said policy could not shift with changes in office and argued that negotiations, if held, would need to be conducted on a state to state basis. He added, “There is also a government in this country. And there is a Foreign Minister.”

The statements on February 20 and 21 reflect publicly expressed differences between the TRNC Presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over terminology, negotiation format and the direction of Cyprus policy.