TRNC Parliament Speaker: “No Peace Under the Shadow of Weapons!”
TRNC Parliament Speaker Ziya Öztürkler reacted sharply to the newly signed cooperation agreement between the Greek Cypriot side, Israel, and Greece, delivering a pointed assessment of current regional dynamics and asserting that peace on Cyprus cannot be achieved “under the shadow of weapons.” His remarks reflect growing concern within Turkish Cypriot political circles about expanding military cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Öztürkler said recent defence partnerships risk shifting the focus away from political dialogue and confidence-building. He argued that agreements framed around security and deterrence, when pursued without inclusivity, can deepen mistrust and complicate efforts to resume meaningful negotiations between the island’s two communities.
“No Solution Under the Shadow of Weapons”
“There can be no solution under the shadow of weapons,” Öztürkler said, stressing that rising militarization does not create the environment needed for reconciliation. He cautioned that defence cooperation should not be used to pressure or marginalize any side, adding that peace requires political will rather than displays of force.
Questioning the intent behind the new arrangements, Öztürkler asked “who these agreements are directed against and what they are preparing for,” underscoring Turkish Cypriot unease about the strategic messaging of such alliances.
Call for Inclusive Dialogue
Öztürkler emphasized that diplomacy must be grounded in direct engagement and mutual respect. “If there is a genuine desire for peace,” he said, “there must also be a willingness to engage all sides at the table, on the basis of equality.” He warned that exclusive security formats risk entrenching divisions rather than bridging them.
Regional Context
His comments come amid heightened Eastern Mediterranean security coordination, particularly among the Greek Cypriot administration, Greece, and Israel. While supporters argue these frameworks enhance stability, Öztürkler maintained that security initiatives divorced from political dialogue can be perceived as escalatory and counterproductive.
Security and Dialogue Must Advance Together
Acknowledging the legitimate security concerns of all communities, Öztürkler reiterated that security guarantees cannot substitute for a political process. Sustainable peace, he said, requires balancing security considerations with sincere, inclusive negotiations.
“As long as force or deterrence dominates the conversation,” Öztürkler concluded, “the conflict risks being managed rather than resolved.”
The TRNC Parliament Speaker’s remarks are expected to feature prominently in forthcoming discussions as regional alignments evolve, reinforcing the message that lasting stability on Cyprus depends on dialogue—not armament.