IPE Club Interview Series on the eve of TRNC Presidential Elections: Prof. Dr. Erhan Arıklı

On the eve of 2020 Presidential Elections in TRNC and recent developments in the region, IPE Club team, including Founder Arash Sharghi, Director Irina Dotu, Head of Academic Board Assist. Prof. Dr. Pınar Sharghi and Research Assistant Mehmet Şerif Karamehmetoğlu, had an interview with “Rebirth Party” (Yeni Doğuş Partisi) Founder and President and presidential candidate Prof. Dr. Erhan Arıklı. This interview is a part of IPE Club “Dialectical Dialogues” series.

The Cyprus Issue takes its roots right after establishment of Republic of Cyprus in 1960, however, transforms into a real problem in 1963. Cyprus Issue is a part of UN agenda and because it is differently explained it was not brought to a solution for decades. The main parties to the conflict Turkish and Greek Cypriots communities have different opinions over the chronology of the conflict which for Turkish Cypriots started in 1963 and for Greek Cypriots in 1974.

Prof. Dr. Erhan Arıklı: “Federation – Graveyard for Turkish Cypriots”

The world has experienced a boom of new countries and territories: around 40 countries became full members of United Nations after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in early 1990s. However, in this variety of cases, there is no any of the formation of new federation, only the dissolution and partition of the existed ones. Thus, the push for the federation in the island of Cyprus is impractical already. The new alternatives should be found for the idea of federalism and leaving Turkish Cypriot community with minority rights only. Although, the recognition is not important; the most important thing is to reveal the formulas for a proper political existence of public community.

However, there were no initiatives from the times of the President Denktaş. All the leaders after him were pushing for the federation and power-distribution, which brought no results despite even some concessions from the Turkish Cypriot President’s side. There is also one important fact: according to the Constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, President does not have the right to hold any negotiations, this is a prerogative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All the negotiations held by Presidents were under the title of “leader of community”, although a leader who does not consult the community he is accountable to: unfortunately, there was no one to ask what the Turkish community wants.

Governmental and Constitutional changes

In fact, the system of government is a significant issue in the TRNC politics. There is an obvious need in transforming the formation starting from change of system of government, Constitutional amendments up to the change of country’s name. As for the latest, there should be no more “North – South” division in the name. “The State of Turkish Cypriots”, proposed by UN and used by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, is seen as the most appropriate one.

2020 elections

For years, Cyprus Issue is the first topic in the line of Presidential Elections agenda. 2020 election are not an exception. During this elections campaign the main question will be not only who will represent the Turkish community in negotiations the best, but it will be a choice between “federation and Cyprus without Turkey” and “TRNC and Cyprus with Turkey” options.

Geopolitics of the EastMed and “slippery balances”

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, all the balances both international and regional has changed. It is the case for the Eastern Mediterranean as well. It has taken an image of a chessboard, where TRNC and Cyprus as a whole, is an important chess piece – sometime king, sometime bishop – but always a strategic and important one. The situation in the region is not characterized by a perpetual friendship between actors, but reciprocity. Moreover, there are the signs of black-balling of Turkey to reach the “Middle East without Turkey” and “EastMed without Turkey”. However, Turkey is not only an important player in the region, but also a guarantor state of security on the island.

* The video of interview will be available on IPE Club YouTube Channel soon.