Turkish Cypriot President Erhürman on Cyprus: Shared Authority, Political Equality, and a Clear Roadmap

In a wide-ranging interview jointly conducted by Yeni Düzen daily newspaper and Sim TV at the Presidency in Lefkoşa, Tufan Erhürman set out his approach to the Cyprus problem, placing political equality, shared authority, and methodological clarity at the centre of any credible process.

Speaking in detail about the substance and sequencing of a possible settlement, Erhürman rejected formula-driven debates detached from lived realities and insisted that equality must be exercised in practice, not merely acknowledged in theory.

“These Powers Were Taken From Us”

Erhürman argued that the core of the Cyprus issue lies in areas of shared competence that directly affect sovereignty, rights, and daily life.

“Hydrocarbons, energy, maritime zones, trade routes, security, and European Union citizenship are shared authority areas. These powers were taken away from us. I do not intend to act alone in these areas. They must be exercised jointly, on the basis of political equality.”

He underlined that the discussion should not be reduced to labels or abstract constitutional models.

“My goal is very clear. These shared authority areas were taken from us, and we must use them together on the basis of political equality.”

According to Erhürman, focusing on symbolic formulations without restoring these competences amounts to avoiding the substance of the problem.

Methodology Before Labels

Erhürman was explicit that he will not prioritise naming a solution model before the procedural foundations are agreed.

“For now, I will not attach a name to the form of the solution. I do not want to disrupt my methodology.”

He warned that prematurely declaring commitment to a specific model risks emptying negotiations of content.

“Does the problem end when it is accepted as a federation? On the contrary, you have not discussed anything at all.”

For Erhürman, the decisive issue is not what a settlement is called, but how authority is shared and guaranteed.

Judged Not Only at the Table

Challenging a long-standing narrative in Cyprus diplomacy, Erhürman argued that a party’s sincerity cannot be measured solely by its presence at formal talks.

“There is a narrative that says we will be judged when we sit at the table on whether we want a solution. I extend this. We should also be judged by what we do away from the table on whether we want a solution.”

He stressed that everyday political conduct, confidence-building measures, and respect for equality outside negotiations are as telling as positions expressed during talks.

Türkiye’s Role Is Structural

Erhürman addressed the role of Türkiye directly, describing it as a structural reality rather than a tactical consideration.

“For everyone who wants a solution in this country, including myself, we must understand this: without Türkiye’s approval, a solution is technically not possible.”

He noted that no settlement process in Cyprus has ever advanced without Ankara’s involvement and warned against approaches that ignore this dimension.

Political Equality as a Human Rights Issue

Linking diplomacy to everyday injustices, Erhürman pointed to the situation of children from mixed marriages as a clear example of how political inequality manifests in real life.

“There is a glaring violation in the predicament of children from mixed marriages. I show all the ambassadors who come here the documents on this issue. I do not see equality here, so talking about political equality becomes theoretical and a luxury.”

For Erhürman, such cases expose the gap between rhetoric and reality and demonstrate why equality must be operational, not declaratory.

Beyond Formal Politics

The interview also touched on social and symbolic dimensions of the Cyprus divide. Erhürman expressed frustration over the rejection of initiatives aimed at fostering contact, including a proposal for an under-14 football match between the two sides, describing it as indicative of the broader political blockage.

Throughout the discussion, he returned to a single theme: credibility depends on consistency, clarity, and fairness, not on slogans or externally imposed frameworks.

A Reframed Approach

Erhürman’s remarks outline an approach that seeks to reframe the Cyprus issue around shared authority, political equality, and disciplined methodology, rather than around pre-packaged solutions. His emphasis on substance over form reflects a broader critique of past processes that, in his view, failed to address the roots of the dispute.