Tufan Erhurman denies reports on Varosha proposal leaks

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman has publicly criticized media reports alleging that he initially accepted and subsequently rejected a proposal from President Nikos Christodoulides regarding the status of the fenced-off area of Varosha. The reports claimed that Erhurman withdrew his support following intervention from Turkey. Addressing these allegations on October 9, 2026, Erhurman labeled the reports as distortions and manipulations, questioning how confidential information from a one-on-one meeting with Christodoulides could have been leaked to the press.

Erhurman highlighted that during their last meeting prior to their departure for New York, Christodoulides presented a 19-point proposal. While Erhurman stated he maintains full consultation with Turkey on the process, he insisted that no such proposal regarding Varosha was discussed with any Turkish authorities. He pointedly criticized the Greek Cypriot government for neither confirming nor denying the existence of such a proposal, suggesting that these leaks are intended to influence trust between the two sides.

This incident underscores the diplomatic sensitivity surrounding the Varosha issue and the ongoing lack of transparency in direct negotiations between the two leaders. As of now, no official confirmation of the specific terms of the alleged proposal has been provided by either side.