Devlet Bahceli makes statements on the Cyprus issue and the Blue Homeland doctrine

On June 23, 2026, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in Turkey, Devlet Bahceli, delivered a speech criticizing the European Union's stance regarding Turkish policies in the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus. Bahceli asserted that the era of seeking cooperation with Ankara while simultaneously criticizing the 'Blue Homeland' doctrine and the sovereign equality of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has ended. He dismissed European criticism as irrational, characterizing it as mere 'echoes of a lack of logic' from Brussels. Furthermore, he employed aggressive rhetoric, warning that those attempting to undermine Turkish interests would face severe consequences. Bahceli explicitly stated that any opposition to Turkey's sphere of influence would be met with forceful resistance. His remarks follow increased tensions between Ankara and Brussels over maritime borders and the status of the northern part of Cyprus. The leader emphasized that Turkey remains committed to its current diplomatic and military positions.