Dursun Oğuz: “Portraying Erdoğan as Taking Sides Is Not the Right Approach”

Speaking on Kıbrıs Postası TV’s morning program Sabah Postası, hosted by Gökhan Altıner, Oğuz underlined that Turkey consistently supports a self-sufficient TRNC. “Turkey has always wanted a TRNC that stands on its own feet and stresses that the prosperity and development of the Turkish Cypriot people are important,” he said. “Turkey does not say UBP or CTP. If the UBP is in government and maintains good relations, implements projects, and contributes to the TRNC’s development, those projects come to life. Just like with the water project. Nobody says ‘what would we have done if that water hadn’t come.’ We worked day and night until it arrived. There were even fights in the country over whether the water should come or not. But it was a project for the benefit of the TRNC. Did the UBP surrender by bringing that water? No. The water came, and we pay no cost for it. Some saw this, others refused to see it just to criticize. Today, 80 to 90 percent of the water problem is solved. If Turkey says one thing and the TRNC says another, then the TRNC will once again be left in isolation. The equal existence of Turkish Cypriots on the island must be defended. If ministers approach the issue this way, there will be more positive developments. Portraying President Erdoğan as taking one side is not the right approach.”

“The Election Will Likely Be Between Erhürman and Tatar and End in One Round”

Commenting on the election process, Oğuz said: “The UBP is on the ground… There are seven candidates, and we respect them all. But it seems the election will be between Erhürman and Tatar and likely end in a single round. The prime minister has said that we are continuing our projects. We are working hard to support our candidate.”

Oğuz stressed that Ersin Tatar’s position is clear: “Tatar is standing by his sovereign, two-state solution model. He says that federation was negotiated many times over the years—50 years passed like this. Are we saying that the last five years were wasted just because he advocated for this idea?”

He also commented on the recent visit to Ankara with 168 mukhtars. “We went to Ankara with 168 mukhtars, and they were all happy. We couldn’t meet with President Erdoğan because he had just returned from Qatar. Our mukhtars also wanted to visit Anıtkabir, and the trip was very full. Everyone was satisfied. The negative comments came from people outside the group. They said it was not the right time before the elections—but there are always elections in this country. All our mukhtars are valuable. Out of 242 mukhtars, 168 joined us.”

Turning to TRNC–Turkey relations, Oğuz said: “The TRNC and Turkey are like flesh and bone. In every survey about the presence of Turkish troops on the island, support is always very high. Meanwhile, the south has begun rearming. Everyone is slowly saying danger is approaching the door. We saw the missiles in the air and watched them from Cyprus.”

“If we are at peace, it is because of Turkey,” Oğuz added, recalling that peace followed the 1974 war. “There is no war for Greeks or Turks—conflicts are far from us, thanks to Turkey. Look at Gaza, so many have died. What about the UN we defend, or the EU we wish to join? God forbid, what would happen to the TRNC if there were no Turkey?”

“The Island’s Security Exists Thanks to Turkey”

Speaking about Gaza, Oğuz said: “People there had to leave their land for their own security. In videos, Gazans say they will defend their homeland, yet countless people had to flee. It is a tragedy, a genocide. They have no motherland—thankfully, we do. The island’s security, the TRNC’s security, is thanks to Turkey.”

Oğuz also highlighted international developments: “When I visited Azerbaijan as agriculture minister in 2019, it was not the same as today. When I went again in 2024 as interior minister, they embraced the TRNC even more. Trade relations were established. President Ilham Aliyev met with all interior ministers and said, ‘The TRNC flag should also fly here.’ The TRNC has now gained observer status—this is an achievement. When we go to the EU, it is praised, but when we go elsewhere, it is criticized. A state is a state.”

On relations with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, Oğuz said: “He is tougher than previous presidents. He calls Turkish Cypriots ‘my citizens.’ No, I am not your citizen; I am a citizen of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He does not recognize us as a state, only as citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. How can you hold talks with someone with such a stance?”

Oğuz underlined that the Cyprus problem can only be solved together with Turkey: “Turkey has always said this. For any agreement to be reached, the approval of all three guarantors is required. There are still forces trying to overturn the 1960 agreement.”

“3,203 People Deported in Nine Months”

Addressing migration and deportation, Oğuz said: “In 2024 there were 5,624 deportations; this year so far there are 3,203. This is related to illegal residence. We used to have a small detention center, but now we have found a public facility with the cooperation of the directorate and will turn it into a repatriation center this week. Our migration efforts will continue more strictly. Our police are also conducting peace operations. Our aim is to prevent irregularity. Some even come to the police voluntarily saying, ‘Send us back.’ Our police handle these cases and complete the necessary procedures.”