Ertuğruloğlu: World Will Eventually Legally Recognize TRNC’s De Facto Status

He emphasized that acknowledging the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots could pave the way for an agreement based on the island’s realities.

Ertuğruloğlu also clarified his previous remarks on a broadcast, in which he said: “As long as the UN recognizes the Greek Cypriot side as the ‘Republic of Cyprus,’ the policy of two sovereign equal states and equal international status will not be accepted, and a solution is impossible.”

Defining the Cyprus Issue

Speaking to TAK, Ertuğruloğlu elaborated: “First, it is necessary to define what the Cyprus issue really is. Fundamentally, the Cyprus issue is a question of status. As everyone knows, the Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960 as a partnership state based on the equality of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. However, the Greek Cypriots removed the Turkish Cypriots by force from all state organs and converted it into a unitary Greek Cypriot state.

The problem arose when the international community, including the UN Security Council members, continued to recognize and treat this solely Greek state—which excludes Turkish Cypriots—as the Republic of Cyprus. UN Security Council Resolution 186 of 1964 reflects precisely this problem. The legitimate rights of Turkish Cypriots were ignored, and the founding partnership status enshrined in the 1960 Republic was nullified. This unjustly granted status for the Greek Cypriots, which violates the Republic’s founding agreements and constitution, has remained the main obstacle to resolving the Cyprus issue and continues to do so today. Understanding these facts is crucial to grasping the essence of the problem.”

Greek Cypriot Intentions and Policy Shift

Ertuğruloğlu noted that in over half a century of negotiations, all methods have been tried, yet the Greek Cypriot side has never intended a true partnership with Turkish Cypriots, seeking only to extend a unitary Greek state’s sovereignty over the northern part of the island.

He added, “Based on this experience, the Turkish side, in 2021, adopted a policy shift to request the reaffirmation of Turkish Cypriots’ inherent rights. Recognizing sovereign equality and equal international status would pave the way for an agreement based on the realities on the island.”

A Call for a UN Paradigm Shift

Ertuğruloğlu stressed that the UN must change its approach to the Cyprus issue and adopt a new paradigm grounded in current realities. He questioned, “Given today’s world, where the UN’s effectiveness in resolving global and regional issues is itself debated, what can we realistically expect from the UN?”

He concluded, “As long as the UN continues to recognize the Greek Cypriot side as the ‘Republic of Cyprus,’ it is impossible to achieve a consensus or agreement between the parties in Cyprus. We have seen this clearly for over 50 years. I am making a realistic political assessment, but this does not mean that Turkish Cypriots will relinquish their legitimate, inherent rights. Sooner or later, the world will have to legally recognize the de facto situation on the island. The international system established after World War II has collapsed, and the UN, as part of that system, will also be affected. Nothing will remain as it is today over the next 5–10 years. What matters is that Turkish Cypriots remain determined to protect their rights and state. The Turkish Cypriot people are not alone; our Motherland Turkey has always provided unwavering support. This is our greatest strength, and I am fully confident in a bright future for Turkish Cypriots.”