Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met in Ankara on Thursday, as part of a wider diplomatic meeting ahead of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
The visit marks Erhürman’s second trip to Ankara since his election as Turkish Cypriot leader last October. No public statements were issued after the meeting concluded.
Previous meeting and positions
Following their first meeting in November, Erhürman said both the “demonstrated will” of the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey’s “unequivocal determination” to pursue a solution were clear.
He stressed that the Cyprus issue remains unresolved and said any settlement could only be achieved through the “shared will” of the island’s two communities.
Erhürman also emphasised that the Turkish Cypriot people “exist and will continue to exist”, underlining their intention to engage in negotiations aimed at a lasting solution.
Call for structured negotiations
He added that the Turkish Cypriot side expects talks that are time-bound and result-oriented, warning against a process that could return to the status quo if negotiations fail.
“No one should perceive the will of the Turkish Cypriot people for a solution as a will to sit at the table with a method which is not time-bound, is not result-orientated,” he said.
Upcoming meetings
Erhürman is also expected to meet Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Turkey this weekend, as part of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum agenda.
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