13.11.2025 19:48
The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tufan Erhürman, made his first foreign visit to Ankara and held a meeting with President Erdoğan. Speaking after the meeting, President Erdoğan stated, "Cyprus is our national cause. We believe that the most realistic solution to the Cyprus issue lies in the coexistence of two states on the island."
After taking office, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Tufan Erhürman, made his first foreign visit to Turkey at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and arrived in Ankara. Welcomed with an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex, Erhürman held one-on-one and inter-delegation meetings with Erdoğan today. The two leaders later appeared before the cameras. Erdoğan and Erhürman made statements.
Highlights from President Erdoğan's statements are as follows:
"The elections in the TRNC on October 19, 2025, were held peacefully. I wish the President success in his new role from Allah. In two days, we will celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of the TRNC; I congratulate this special day and send my love to my Turkish Cypriot brothers. We will continue our struggle for a fair, lasting solution that is in line with the realities on the island in close coordination with Mr. Erhürman."
"OUR POSITION ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE IS CLEAR" We had a comprehensive and productive meeting with the President and his delegation. We evaluated the joint steps that can be taken in the future regarding the Cyprus issue. Our position on the Cyprus issue is clear; the reason this problem has remained unresolved until today is the Greek side's rejection of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots. The Greek side does not want to share either political power or economic prosperity with the Turks on the island and will never agree to this.
"THE UN AND EU ALSO HAVE FAULTS" The Greek side sees the solution for Cyprus as reducing Turkish Cypriots to a minority status in the partnership state that it seized by force in 1963 and which has no validity today. We must keep in mind that the mistakes of the UN Security Council regarding the Cyprus issue and the EU's acceptance of the Greek administration as a member despite rejecting the Annan Plan are also faults. The opportunities for complacency presented to the Greek side by past wrong decisions have led to the endless rights violations of the Turkish Cypriots in their homeland.
"A REALISTIC SOLUTION DEPENDS ON THE EXISTENCE OF TWO STATES ON THE ISLAND" The President is very familiar with this process from his past experience as Prime Minister and as a member of the negotiation team between 2008-2010. In light of these experiences, I find it appropriate that he emphasizes that there will be no concessions on the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriots in the messages he gives to the Greek side. We had stated that we would no longer continue negotiations that lead nowhere just to show that friends are shopping together after the Greek side left the table in 2017. We maintain this stance with the Turkish Cypriot side and uphold this understanding. We believe that the most realistic solution to the Cyprus issue is that two states must coexist.
We continue to uphold our position that the two peoples on the island can live side by side in peace, prosperity, and security. In this direction, we will continue our sincere efforts. Today, we are facing a different international conjuncture. The sun of yesterday cannot dry today's laundry; trying to dig a well with the old era's clichés will not lead us anywhere. I hope we will also see the courage and understanding for a solution from the other side. We discussed what we can do to further accelerate our cooperation with the President.
"WE WILL NEVER LEAVE THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE ALONE" We evaluated the projects that can be implemented to increase the welfare of the Turkish Cypriots, facilitate their daily lives, and reduce the impact of the isolation they have faced for decades. These efforts will continue under the coordination of my assistant, Cevdet Yılmaz. Our political and diplomatic efforts to ensure that the TRNC can be represented internationally and to voice its injustices to the world will continue in coordination. As the motherland, we will never leave the Turkish Cypriot people alone. I once again sincerely congratulate the declaration of the TRNC and express my gratitude to the martyrs who fell for the homeland and the leaders of the TRNC cause."
ERHÜRMAN: TRNC-TURKEY RELATIONS ARE SPECIAL The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tufan Erhürman, said the following at the joint press conference: "I thank the President for his kind invitation and hospitality. On the occasion of the date of November 10 that we left behind, I once again commemorate Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with respect and gratitude, and I wish God's mercy on our martyrs who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash on November 11, and I extend my condolences and patience to their grieving families and loved ones on behalf of myself and my people.
President of the TRNC, Tufan Erhürman As everyone in the world knows, the TRNC-Turkey relations are so special that they cannot be compared to our relations with other states. TRNC Presidents have always made their first visits to Turkey. This will certainly be the case during my term as the new President of the TRNC as well. I am extremely happy to be making this visit today. I would like to emphasize that strengthening our brotherly ties and making my country and people better known in the Turkish public will be one of my most important endeavors.
"THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE HAVE SOVEREIGNTY RIGHTS OVER THE ENTIRE ISLAND" Especially during a period when militarization has increased in the south of Cyprus, Turkey is important in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, just as it was yesterday. Turkey is one of the most important actors in all efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, just as it was yesterday.
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Due to this status, the Turkish Cypriot people have the right to sovereignty over the entire island of Cyprus. There is a problem that has remained unresolved for decades. This problem negatively affects not only Turkish Cypriots and Greeks but also those seeking peace in the region. The way to a solution in the Eastern Mediterranean is through dialogue and negotiation.
"NO ONE SHOULD THINK THAT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE WILL NOT BE AT THE TABLE" Lessons must be learned from methods that have not led us to a result so far. We should not be expected to walk the same path again that has led nowhere despite being walked multiple times. It is the solution methodology presented by a people that has the will for a solution after all these years. No one should think that the Turkish people will not be at the table. If there is a comprehensive table, we will be there. If that table has not been set up, we will be at the negotiation table for solutions within a win-win framework.
As before, in this period, we will defend the interests of our people at the UN and everywhere we can, by taking advantage of the diplomatic channels that Turkey will open. No one will be able to ignore us or overlook us. No one will prevent our meeting with the world. Knowing that Turkey is always by our side and will be in the future is our greatest assurance.
OFFICIAL WELCOME CEREMONY FOR THE PRESIDENT OF TRNC AT THE PRESIDENTIAL COMPLEX The President of the TRNC, Tufan Erhürman, was officially welcomed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan upon his arrival in Ankara. Horsemen accompanied Erhürman’s official vehicle in front of the Presidential Complex. Erdoğan welcomed Erhürman at the main entrance of the Complex.
21 GUN SALUTE AND NATIONAL ANTHEM After the leaders took their places in the ceremony area, the National Anthem was sung accompanied by a 21-gun salute. Erhürman greeted the Guard Brigade with "Hello soldier." Flags and soldiers representing 16 Turkish states were also present at the ceremony.
AGENDA OF THE MEETING: CYPRUS AND BILATERAL RELATIONS During the visit, current developments regarding the Cyprus issue will be discussed; all dimensions of Turkey-TRNC relations will be evaluated.
ERHÜRMAN WAS ELECTED WITH 62.76% OF THE VOTE Tufan Erhürman, who was elected President by receiving 62.76% of the votes in the elections held on November 19 in the TRNC, made his first foreign visit to Turkey, as is customary. The former President Ersin Tatar, who advocates a two-state solution, received 35.81% of the votes in the election.
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