After his contacts in New York, where he was for the United Nations (UN) 81st General Assembly, Ertuğruloğlu met with Turkish press members in Washington and evaluated the agenda.
Minister Ertuğruloğlu stated that there is no fundamental change regarding the international agenda regarding the TRNC and the status quo continues.
Ertuğruloğlu emphasized that the essence of the Cyprus problem is that "the Greeks are seen as having a state status that they do not deserve, and the Turks in the TRNC are seen as having a society status that they do not deserve."
Underlining that the factors that created this problem were the decisions taken by the United Nations (UN) Security Council in 1964 and then the European Union (EU)'s admission of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC) to the EU in 2004, Ertuğruloğlu stated that it was not possible to solve the problem with this international approach.
Pointing out that there is no point in negotiating with the Greeks on the island under the current conditions, Minister Ertuğruloğlu said, "This is a long-term struggle. We are very lucky that we have a very strong country like our motherland Turkey behind us." he said.
Ertuğruloğlu stated that without Türkiye's determined stance regarding the TRNC, no one would be left as a Turkish Cypriot on the Island and the Island would be transformed into Crete, and added that today, thanks to Ankara's power and influence, the TRNC can meet directly with many international actors.
Ertuğruloğlu said:
"The point reached in foreign policy is the end; two sovereign equal states, equal international status policy. There is no option to establish a new partnership with the Greeks. It is over. We tried to be partners, and then we are experiencing what happened to us. The mentality of the Greeks against us has not changed and there is an international community that indulges this. That is why we say that the current situation is the de facto solution: Two neighboring sovereign equal states."
Emphasizing that the approaches of international actors have not changed, Ertuğruloğlu said, "Therefore, the current situation is a solution, we do not have the luxury of retreating from it, we have the duty to manage the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus better and to act together with our homeland step by step... There is no other way." he said.
Stating that in the current situation, this status quo will be preserved in terms of TRNC's foreign policy, Ertuğruloğlu underlined that he will continue to take steps in full coordination with Türkiye on this issue.
Stating that American, British and French soldiers will also participate in the parade to be held today in the Greek Cypriot Administration, Ertuğruloğlu drew attention to the recent relations of the Greek Cypriots with Israel.
Referring to the close relations between the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus and Israel, Minister Ertuğruloğlu underlined that they were very disturbed by this relationship.
"Israel is a state that hopes to create crisis, a state that creates enemies, not peace, and feeds on them." Ertuğruloğlu reminded that Ankara reacted very clearly to Tel Aviv and took a humanitarian stance, especially after Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Emphasizing that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's determined stance at this point is very important, Ertuğruloğlu said that Israel continues to be a country that spreads instability in the region.
Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu criticized the US selling weapons to the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus and providing military training there, saying, "When we ask this to our American interlocutors here, they cannot give a proper answer." he said.
Stating that they are not "enemies" of the USA or any other country, Ertuğruloğlu emphasized that they "will not raise the flag of surrender to anyone" and that they will "continue to protect their presence on the Island" with the support of Türkiye.
