**Ertugruloglu Meets Turkey’s Bozay Amidst Tensions Over Cyprus Negotiations**
Nicosia, Cyprus – Turkish Cypriot ‘foreign minister’ Tahsin Ertugruloglu held a meeting on Tuesday with Kemal Bozay, the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister, in Nicosia. This meeting comes at a time when Ertugruloglu has been notably critical of a new initiative aimed at resuming negotiations regarding the longstanding Cyprus problem.
According to a statement from Ertugruloglu’s office, the discussions focused on the relationship between their respective ministries and regional developments. However, the backdrop of the meeting is marked by Ertugruloglu’s skepticism towards the ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United Nations, particularly in light of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ upcoming visit to Cyprus.
Ertugruloglu’s criticism intensified following the announcement of Guterres' visit, especially after UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin indicated in July of the previous year that no common ground existed for a resolution between the two sides on the island. Since then, the political landscape has shifted with the election of pro-federal candidate Tufan Erhurman as the Turkish Cypriot leader in October 2022. Erhurman and Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides reached an agreement in December, emphasizing a solution that recognizes political equality.
Despite these developments, Ertugruloglu's office has expressed strong opposition to the new initiative, stating that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) “entirely rejects these new developments as initiatives aimed at mortgaging the will of the Turkish Cypriot people.” The statement further criticized the revival of previously unsuccessful negotiation models, asserting that such efforts only serve to maintain the status quo, which they argue benefits the Greek Cypriots.
The Turkish Cypriot ‘ministry’ has called on the UN to acknowledge the rights and status of the Turkish Cypriot people, urging for the lifting of what they describe as the isolation of the TRNC. They advocate for the recognition of two sovereign states and peoples on the island, a position that diverges significantly from the stance of the Turkish government in Ankara.
In a notable contrast, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently signed a joint declaration supporting Guterres’ efforts in Cyprus alongside EU officials, including foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. This declaration indicates a unified front from Turkey regarding the renewed diplomatic push, which stands in opposition to the sentiments expressed by Ertugruloglu and the TRNC’s ‘foreign ministry.’
The dynamics of the situation are further complicated by the reactions from other officials in Northern Cyprus. Recently, ‘transport minister’ Erhan Arikli revealed that he received a call from Turkey’s foreign ministry after he publicly criticized Turkey's endorsement of Guterres’ efforts. He was advised to reconsider his comments and expressed regret for not consulting with Ankara prior to making his statements.
As Guterres prepares for his visit to Cyprus, UN envoy Holguin is set to travel to Brussels and Ankara for discussions, including a meeting with Fidan. The upcoming diplomatic engagements highlight the complexities of the Cyprus issue and the varying perspectives within the Turkish Cypriot leadership.
The ongoing tensions and differing viewpoints among Turkish Cypriot officials underscore the challenges facing the resumption of negotiations. As the international community, including the UN and Turkey, seeks to foster dialogue, the internal divisions within the Turkish Cypriot leadership may pose significant obstacles to achieving a consensus on the future of Cyprus.