Ertugruloglu criticizes Erhurman over Cyprus policy

In an interview on Ada TV, the Turkish Cypriot 'Foreign Minister' Tahsin Ertugruloglu criticized CTP leader Tufan Erhurman, characterizing his approach to the Cyprus issue as disconnected from reality. Ertugruloglu reaffirmed that the primary objective for the Turkish side remains the recognition of 'sovereign equality' as a prerequisite for any meaningful political equality. He rejected the notion that political equality should be a subject of current negotiations. Furthermore, Ertugruloglu argued that Turkey, along with Greece and the United Kingdom, maintains rights over all of Cyprus based on the guarantee status, asserting that Turkey is the sole guarantor of Turkish Cypriot security. He also claimed that the European Union is attempting to influence the Turkish Cypriot youth through financial programs and scholarships, which he described as harmful to their interests. Regarding the international stance on the Cyprus problem, Ertugruloglu expressed disappointment that Turkic states have prioritized their own interests over supporting the Turkish Cypriot side, alleging that this shift was facilitated by the Greek Cypriot side's influence within the EU.