Ertugruloglu Accuses Christodoulides of Turning Southern Cyprus Into Military Hub

Speaking on the “Sabah Postası” programme on Kibris Postasi TV, hosted by Gokhan Altiner, Ertugruloglu said Christodoulides was pursuing what he described as an “obsessive” strategy aimed at “liberating the so-called Hellenic island of Cyprus from Turkish occupation and unifying the country.”

According to Ertugruloglu, this approach has effectively turned Southern Cyprus into a military headquarters for Western powers and Israel.

The foreign minister also referred to the presence of British sovereign base areas on the island, saying they have historically been used by imperial powers and continue to serve strategic interests today. He noted that the base areas are crown territories and stressed that they have no chance of becoming territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

Ertugruloglu also criticised remarks by Konstantinos Kombos suggesting that the issue of the British bases should be discussed, arguing that the bases remain vital for the United Kingdom and the United States.

Defending the policy advocating sovereign equality and a two-state solution on the island, Ertugruloglu said recent developments have shown that those promoting a unified Cyprus while prioritising territorial integrity are pursuing a flawed vision.

He argued that the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation was not aimed at fighting Greek Cypriots but at preventing the island from becoming a Hellenic state linked to Greece and ensuring the security of the Turkish Cypriot people.

“If you want peace, you must show that you are prepared to fight,” Ertugruloglu said, adding that demonstrating unwillingness to fight sends a signal of weakness to the other side.

He also criticised Tufan Erhurman, saying the president should remember which country he represents.

Ertugruloglu stressed that the people of the TRNC have no aggressive intentions toward Greek Cypriots in the south, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side does not need to prove itself to others.

“Of course we should not advocate war,” he said. “But the message should be clear: either you come to your senses and we make peace, or if you continue to attack us, we will fight—and if we fight, you will lose.”