Former TRNC PM: Cyprus issue inconceivable without Türkiye
In an exclusive interview, former TRNC Prime Minister Hakkı Atun declared that resolving the Cyprus issue is impossible without Türkiye's central role. With presidential elections approaching, Atun emphasized that Türkiye's military presence alone maintains ceasefire stability and protects Turkish Cypriots, while warning against Israel's growing ambitions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Former Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Hakkı Atun has stated that any resolution to the decades-long Cyprus dispute is unimaginable without Türkiye's essential involvement, emphasizing that the Turkish military presence provides the fundamental security guaranteeing peace for Turkish Cypriots.
Elections and Democratic Legitimacy
Speaking before Sunday's critical presidential vote where over 218,000 registered voters will determine the TRNC's future direction, Atun highlighted the robustness of Turkish Cypriot democratic institutions. "Whether recognized or not, we have a strong democracy," he stated, noting that since the 1974 Peace Operation, the TRNC has consistently maintained a functioning parliament and government through free elections. He described the upcoming election as both a crucial democratic exercise and the most powerful message the TRNC can send to the international community about its political sovereignty.
The Two-State Solution Imperative
Atun strongly endorsed the two-state solution framework, praising incumbent President Ersin Tatar's defense of this position as the only viable path forward. He expressed skepticism about federal negotiations, citing the Greek Cypriot side's persistent refusal to treat Turkish Cypriots as equal partners. "I have no hope that the Greek side will ever agree to a federation with us," Atun stated, adding that since joining the European Union, the Greek Cypriot administration has gained disproportionate influence and would only consider a settlement under EU-dominated conditions that would undermine Turkish Cypriot sovereignty.
Regional Threats and Strategic Warnings
The former prime minister issued strong warnings about Israel's expanding regional ambitions, accusing the Greek Cypriot side of attempting to position Israel as a counterweight to the TRNC and Türkiye. "The whole world has watched what's happening in Gaza with horror. Now, Israel is trying to position itself as a player in Cyprus," Atun cautioned. He emphasized that maintaining the TRNC as an independent state is crucial not only for Turkish Cypriots but also for Türkiye's strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean and the defense of its southern coasts, stating definitively that "This cause cannot exist without Türkiye."
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