Turkey is called upon to prove it, not just say it

Opinion Cyprus problemTufan ErhurmanturkeyUnited Nations Turkey is called upon to prove it, not just say it Ptd Olgin Erhiurman 1536x1108 Relevant News A hugely significant development 26 August 2026 Turkey is called upon to prove it, not just say it 26 August 2026 From Mevlut to Tufan: yes at dinner, no by breakfast 26 August 2026 Phileleftheros Editorial 26 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Today’s fresh meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and occupation leader Tufan Erhurman is part of the groundwork for a new informal five-party conference. It’s the legacy UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres left behind when he flew out of Cyprus last month. Even a small step matters. But what the Secretary-General is actually after is big steps, leaps forward if possible. That’s what the Greek Cypriot side wants too. Let’s hope the occupying side gets the message. Nicosia, despite every attempt to cast doubt on its intentions, from the occupying side and from certain quarters at home, wants talks to start. Not just restart, either: it wants them carried through to an actual agreement. That’s been the Republic of Cyprus’s goal from the start. It still is. It’s clear, we’ve said it many times before and we’ll say it again: Greek Cypriot goodwill alone isn’t enough. It takes genuine willingness from the occupying side too, and that side keeps choosing confrontation instead. Ankara, and above all its foreign and defence ministers, and its man in the occupied areas, Tufan Erhurman, keep going on the attack against Nicosia and the president, questioning and undermining everything the Republic does. Add Turkish provocations in the Aegean to the picture. So what can actually be done? Without Turkey, there’s no deal. Turkey is the one causing this problem in the first place. It’s the one still occupying the land. Anyone looking at the Cyprus problem with clear eyes knows the truth: solving it means getting Ankara on board. This was never about “two sides” in Cyprus reaching some meeting of minds. It comes down to Turkey, and Turkey alone. Obviously, there’s no route forward except dialogue. There’s no agreement without negotiations first. What’s needed is negotiation, real negotiation, not more concessions from the Greek Cypriot side. Today’s meeting should settle the obvious question: does Turkey actually want negotiations, and ultimately a solution to the Cyprus problem? That’s not something to prove with words and tactical manoeuvring. It’s something to prove in practice. The answers sit in Ankara. Erhurman won’t be the one giving them. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News A hugely significant development From Mevlut to Tufan: yes at dinner, no by breakfast Pamboridis’s megaton bomb on organised crime and politics, or just a flashbang? Overnight pharmacies on Wednesday, August 26 Marking a new chapter: EY Cyprus moves to Landmark Office Tower Aradippou bakery fire: structural check first, cause probe to follow Nepal flash flood kills eight; damaging roads, power projects Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.