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Tufan Erhurman, president of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC), said they will launch "a new era" to address both internal and external challenges.
Erhurman stated that changing negative perceptions associated with casinos, the mafia, and money laundering is one of their priorities.
"We need to rebuild Turkish Cyprus's image in Türkiye," Erhurman said.
Erhurman was elected president of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus with 62% of the vote in elections held on October 19. He answered questions from a group of journalists from Türkiye, reported by BBC Turkish.
Erhurman stated that they need "a new order" that includes fundamental changes from the economy to the institutional structure.
Emphasizing that the informal economy in Turkish Cyprus is at a serious level, Erhurman said that the desire to pay taxes must be increased and the informal economy must be brought into the official system.
Erhurman stated that they aim for transformation in internal structure and the entirety of their external relations.
Erhurman noted that in recent years, they have been increasingly referred to in Turkish public discourse with headlines such as "casinos, mafia, nightclubs, and money laundering."
Erhurman said this is a one-sided perception. "We do have problems in these areas, but the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people are not limited to these. There is a need to reshare our country's real potential with the Turkish people," Erhurman said.
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The selection of Tufan Erhurman as president of the new administration in Turkish Cyprus brought discussions of "differences of view" between the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and ruling party members sent congratulatory messages to Erhurman, while MHP General Chairman Devlet Bahceli criticized Erhurman for being "a federalist" on the Cyprus issue.
Bahceli had stated, "TRNC should be united with the Turkish Republic; TRNC being the 82nd province is a matter of life and death."
When asked by journalists about this, Tufan Erhurman said that they are in constant "contact" with Ankara and there is no problem.
When reminded of Bahceli's words, Erhurman gave an extremely diplomatic response.
"I have never preferred to speak from here to Ankara or to be spoken to from Ankara," Erhurman said.
Erhurman continued: "I think we should have communication that must be conducted through dialogue, not mutual monologues. In fact, I always say, "Turkish Republic-TRNC relations are special relations that cannot be compared to any other two states' relations." Therefore, we must also display the sensitivity required by the nature of these relations."
"Apart from that, I have had no statements about speaking from here to there, and I will not have any," Erhurman stated.
Erhurman also commented on meetings he will have on December 11 with United Nations officials and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.
Erhurman stated that they are not closing the door to a new conference in the 5+1 format (guarantor countries Türkiye, Greece, and Britain; Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots with the U.N.), but such a step would not be appropriate until the issues are mature.
Erhurman also said that the Cyprus issue should not be seen only as a matter between the two communities on the island but as a regional issue that involves three guarantor countries and even the entire region.
While negotiations continue, Erhurman emphasized that steps must be taken to improve the quality of life of the two peoples on the island. Erhurman stated that he will bring a 10-point plan containing confidence-building measures to his meeting with Nikos Christodoulides.
Erhurman said steps could be taken on issues including establishing additional control points to end queues at the Metehan Border Gate, international registration of halloumi cheese, establishing a solar energy system in the buffer zone, and enabling mutual sporting competitions between Turkish and Greek youth.
Regarding the Greek Cypriots' armament and base agreements, Erhurman stated that they closely monitor these activities in a coordinated manner with Türkiye.
Drawing attention to the fact that the island's security concerns both communities, Erhurman said, "If a missile is fired, will it stop at the Green Line? A decision was made on an issue affecting the entire island while ignoring half of the island."
Erhurman said that the Greek Cyprus conducted unilateral hydrocarbon tenders, determined maritime jurisdiction areas, and did not take into account the will of the Turkish Cypriot side in any of the regional energy projects.
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