Statement of President Tufan Erhürman
President Tufan Erhürman issued the following written statement:
"In his New Year message, the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, reiterated that resolving the Cyprus issue remains a foremost priority.
Meanwhile, the “defence and energy cooperation” being advanced with Greece and Israel has, as evidenced by recent statements, taken shape as an “anti-Türkiye axis”.
With the start of 2026, the “Israel -- Cyprus electricity interconnection” has once again been brought onto the agenda.
We have long maintained that cooperation amongst Cyprus, Türkiye, and Greece in the field of energy constitutes one of the most important incentives for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.
A solution is reached not by creating or nurturing antagonisms that undermine it, but by fostering cooperation.
A "climate conducive to a settlement” cannot be created by acting as if Turkish Cypriots do not exist. It can only be fostered through approaches that clearly recognise Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots as equal partners.
Naturally, these are the approaches that would indeed be pursued if the settlement of the Cyprus issue were truly treated as a priority.
The resolution of the Cyprus issue requires first the creation of a "conducive climate for a settlement”.
All those who profess a commitment to a settlement are expected to help build this climate, not merely through words, but through tangible actions.
We will, of course, continue to put forward proposals and make contributions aimed at creating a climate for settlement, in line with our people’s desire for a solution.
As I have previously emphasised: If this process is to be conducted fairly, and if any form of “assessment and evaluation” is to be meaningful, the “will for a settlement” of all parties must be measured not only by what is said at the tables, but also by what is done -- and not done -- outside."