Newsletters
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ambassador to Ankara, Ismet Korukoglu, said that official negotiations between Turkish Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot south can only occur with recognition of sovereign equality and Turkish status, predicting that the balance will shift in Turkish Cyprus's favor in the coming period.
Ambassador Korukoglu made the comments during a meeting with media representatives in Ankara on Thursday, providing assessments on upcoming talks between the TRNC president and the Greek Cypriot leader on the margins of United Nations meetings in September and the current situation on the island.
According to Korukoglu, the balance will change in favor of the TRNC in the upcoming process.
"There is an S.O.F.A. agreement signed between the United Nations and the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus in 1964. It determines the conditions for being on the island. We always oppose this. We also need to agree to S.O.F.A. with the United Nations now," he added.
"We need to discuss the functioning and activities on the island. There is a principle of neutrality, but if you only get the consent of one side, you cannot be neutral," he noted.
Korukoglu detailed recent negotiations between both sides, explaining Greek Cypriot objectives in ongoing discussions.
"The two sides came together twice this year. The issue of opening the gates was discussed. Normally, it would be based on mutual benefit. But they want transit gates. The solar panel camp issue is on the agenda, but there they also want to take the electricity produced into their own network and give it to us from there," Korukoglu noted.
Discussions are also being held on issues such as restoration of cemeteries and clearance of mines," he added.
1 min read
The ambassador expressed optimism about Turkish Cyprus's position, citing regional developments and Türkiye's growing influence.
"The U.N. Secretary-General's personal representative was supposed to come to the island but did not come. Now, the two leaders will meet on the margins of the United Nations meeting. It is not clear where the negotiations will continue from," the ambassador noted.
"We think that the changes in the upcoming process will be in our favor. The European Union has lost its former influence and attraction. Türkiye's advantages will also turn into advantages for us."
"Our observer membership in the Organization of Turkic States is very important. Our representation in Baku is now working much more intensively."
"There are now meetings that we attend at the ministerial level. From now on, the way for official negotiations can only be opened with the recognition of sovereign equality and the status of Turks," he noted.
"The reason for the lack of progress in cooperation areas stems from the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus not being open to cooperation. They say cooperation can be done between equals. They are stalling; they want the isolation of the Turks. The U.N. also emphasized that there is no longer common ground between the two sides," he added.
1 min read
