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Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar said the Oct. 19 presidential election in the country is a “vote of existence” and serves as a “referendum” between a two-state solution and a federal model.
Speaking to Anadolu ahead of the election, Tatar said his opponent, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) candidate Tufan Erhurman, supports a federation, while he advocates for a two-state policy.
He emphasized that in the last five years, he has succeeded in bringing the two-state solution to the world’s agenda, with the support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “With Türkiye’s backing, this policy has been understood by the international community,” Tatar said.
Tatar also cited the TRNC’s observer status in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) as one of the achievements of his term.
Tatar said his main duty as president is to conduct foreign policy and maintain strong ties with Türkiye.
“I believe I have maintained our relations with Türkiye in the best possible way,” he said. “We have placed the two-state solution policy before the world. We are taking our place in the Organization of Turkic States.”
He urged citizens to participate in the upcoming election, calling it crucial for the stability and economic progress of the TRNC.
“This election will determine whether we continue with the two-state policy or turn toward a federation model,” he said. “I call on every citizen to go to the polls and demonstrate the will of the people with a high voter turnout.”
Tatar underlined that the two-state policy ensures the TRNC’s sovereignty, preserves Türkiye’s guarantor status, and secures the continued presence of Turkish Armed Forces on the island.
He warned that a federation model could weaken ties with Türkiye over time, as Ankara is not a member of the European Union.
“Such a model could eventually pressure Türkiye to withdraw from Cyprus and end its guarantor status, furthering efforts to exclude Türkiye from the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.
“All these possibilities show the importance of the two-state solution policy,” Tatar added.
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