**Title: Cyprus Problem Declared Resolved by Northern 'Foreign Minister'**
In a significant statement on Tuesday, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the self-proclaimed 'foreign minister' of Northern Cyprus, declared that the longstanding Cyprus problem has been resolved. His remarks came during a meeting with a delegation of academics and opinion leaders from various countries, including Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Iran, and Greece, who were in Cyprus for the Mediterranean peace and diplomacy forum hosted by Bahcesehir University at its Cyprus campus.
Ertugruloglu emphasized that the current situation on the island represents a de facto reality, asserting that as long as the Greek Cypriots are recognized as the Republic of Cyprus, no other solution can be considered viable. "The Cyprus problem has been solved. The current situation is a de facto situation," he stated. He further claimed that the solidarity shown by the visiting delegation should serve as a lesson to all parties involved.
In his address, Ertugruloglu expressed gratitude towards Turkey, referring to it as the "motherland" of the Turkish Cypriots. He asserted that the strength of the Turkish Cypriots is intertwined with that of Turkey, reinforcing the idea that any potential partnership with Greek Cypriots is no longer feasible. He firmly stated that there would be no deviation from the established policy advocating for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.
Ertugruloglu's statements, however, do not reflect the official stance of the Turkish Cypriot community as a whole. The elected leader of the Turkish Cypriots, Tufan Erhurman, has previously expressed support for a federal solution to the Cyprus issue. On Monday, Erhurman reiterated the Turkish Cypriots' desire for a resolution, emphasizing their commitment to the efforts of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
"The will for a solution, which the Turkish Cypriot people have demonstrated many times before, is clear," Erhurman stated. He highlighted that the Turkish Cypriots are not interested in negotiations for the sake of negotiations but are focused on achieving a tangible solution. He also mentioned the importance of avoiding an open-ended negotiation process that could lead to stagnation.
The ongoing dialogue surrounding the Cyprus issue is expected to continue as UN envoy for the Cyprus problem, Maria Angela Holguin, plans to resume her contacts with stakeholders following the upcoming NATO leaders' summit in Ankara next week.
The contrasting views between Ertugruloglu and Erhurman underscore the complexities of the Cyprus problem, which has persisted for decades. The differing perspectives on how to approach the situation reflect the broader political landscape within the Turkish Cypriot community and the challenges of achieving a unified stance on the future of the island.
As discussions evolve, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with hopes for a resolution that could bring lasting peace to Cyprus.