No Cyprus solution can ignore Turkish Cypriots, says Kurtulmuş

Speaking at the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, hosted by Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, Kurtulmuş rejected Demetriou’s remarks about Türkiye’s role in Cyprus and defended Ankara’s 1974 intervention.

“Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are two peoples who have existed in Cyprus throughout history. There can be no solution in Cyprus that ignores the Turkish side,” he said.

“The Turkish Cypriot people will continue to live on the island of Cyprus as equal citizens forever.”

Kurtulmuş pointed to 1960, 1963 and 1974 as key dates in understanding the Cyprus issue, recalling that the republic established in 1960 was founded on a partnership between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, with Britain, Türkiye and Greece acting as guarantor powers.

He argued that the partnership had been dismantled in 1963 through the actions of forces seeking Enosis — union with Greece — and said attempts to portray Türkiye as responsible for the island’s problems overlooked the breakdown of that constitutional arrangement.

Kurtulmuş said Türkiye had spent the following 11 years raising the plight of Turkish Cypriots at international meetings and seeking a peaceful resolution through diplomacy.

He said attacks on Turkish Cypriot villages, including the killing of women, children and young people, had ultimately compelled Türkiye to act to protect the community.

Defending the 1974 intervention, which Türkiye calls the Cyprus Peace Operation, Kurtulmuş said Ankara had acted under its responsibilities as a guarantor power.

He maintained that both peoples had since lived in peace and reiterated that any settlement must recognise the continued presence and equal standing of Turkish Cypriots on the island.