Turkish Cypriot leader says EU cannot be party to future Cyprus talks

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Tufan Erhürman said the European Union cannot participate as a party in any future negotiations on Cyprus, arguing that the recent positions of EU institutions have weakened the trust of Turkish Cypriots in the bloc.

Erhürman made the remarks in a statement issued after meeting European Commission Vice-President and the European Union’s Special Representative for Cyprus, Rafael Fitto, at the presidential office, Caliber.Az reports per Yaffa News Network.

He said he informed the European official that what he described as unilateral and biased decisions and positions adopted by European Union institutions, particularly the European Parliament, had further eroded Turkish Cypriots’ confidence in the EU.

He stressed that while the EU cannot serve as a party in possible negotiations, it can play a constructive role in confidence-building efforts if it wishes to contribute to achieving a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue.

He also called for ending what he described as the isolation imposed on Turkish Cypriots, saying they have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to reach a settlement.

By Sabina Mammadli