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Tufan Erhurman comments on UN Secretary-General visit to Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman has outlined his position regarding the upcoming visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Cyprus. During an appearance on KIBRIS TV, Erhurman emphasized that the visit should not be viewed as a farewell trip, nor as an immediate precursor to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.

Erhurman stated that his priority lies in establishing confidence-building measures and clarifying the methodology for future talks rather than engaging in empty negotiations. Specifically, he proposed opening new border crossings, addressing citizenship rights for children of mixed marriages, and increasing cooperation in sports to foster trust. He rejected the notion of participating in a five-party conference solely for the sake of appearances, asserting that the substantive content of discussions matters more than the label assigned to a solution model. Furthermore, he reiterated that Turkish Cypriots will not relinquish their rights concerning regional energy resources and maritime zones.

His remarks reflect a strategic preference for procedural steps over rapid diplomatic breakthroughs. Erhurman indicated that while the visit is significant, his participation in further structured processes remains contingent upon ensuring that the discussions yield tangible progress on key issues rather than mere formal dialogue.

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