İYİ Party Lawmaker Warns: 'If Gaza Falls, Turkey Won't; If Cyprus Falls, Turkey Will'

İYİ Party Kocaeli Deputy Lütfü Türkkan has issued a stark warning regarding Turkey's foreign policy in the Eastern Mediterranean, stating that Cyprus is facing a critical juncture. He emphasized that the Cyprus issue extends beyond mere foreign policy, describing it as "the heart of the Blue Homeland, energy security, and the future of 86 million people."

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Cyprus is not just a foreign policy issue. Cyprus is Turkey's sovereignty issue in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is the heart of the Blue Homeland, energy security, and the future of 86 million people.

Türkkan cited reports from the Greek Cypriot press and international whispers suggesting a new plan for Cyprus is being revived. He alleges this plan involves the handover of Morphou and territory currently controlled by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in exchange for promises of international recognition, political equality, direct flights, and trade. A key element of this alleged plan, according to Türkkan, is the dismantling of the 1960 Guarantee System and its replacement with a NATO-based formula, which would effectively transfer Turkey's military guarantor role to NATO.

Recalling the Greek Cypriot rejection of the Annan Plan, Türkkan noted that EU membership followed regardless. He believes a similar dynamic is at play today, with a new model presented to Turkey. "The Greek Cypriot side will call it a federation, the Turkish side will call it a confederation. But the territory will be one, sovereignty will become debatable, and Turkey's guarantee will be eliminated," he asserted.

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The 1960 Guarantee System is being abolished, and a NATO formula is being introduced in its place. The Turkish soldier's guarantee is effectively being transferred to NATO.

Türkkan also raised concerns about the potential future membership of Greece and possibly Israel in NATO, suggesting that the Eastern Mediterranean could transform into a new security zone under NATO's umbrella, dominated by Greece. He pointed out that while the US, Israel, Greece, the Greek Cypriot Administration, France, and Qatar are actively involved in energy exploration in the region, Turkey has been excluded from these discussions. "We carried a heavy economic burden during the Syrian civil war, but when it comes to energy sharing, Turkey is absent. This shows that diplomacy is not just about photo opportunities," he stated.

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The Greek Cypriot side will call it a federation, the Turkish side will call it a confederation. But the territory will be one, sovereignty will become debatable, and Turkey's guarantee will be eliminated.

Criticizing the ruling party's foreign policy approach, Türkkan argued that building grand complexes, like the one in Northern Cyprus, does not equate to respect. "States are not run with showy buildings, but with strong diplomacy, strategy, and national will," he declared. He reiterated Turkey's red lines on Cyprus: a two-state solution, Turkish military guarantees, the security of Turkish Cypriots, and rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. "No one should try to make Turkey sit at the federation table again, which was rejected 50 years ago. Cyprus is not a bargaining chip. Cyprus is a national issue for the Republic of Turkey. If Gaza falls, Turkey will not fall, but if Cyprus falls, Turkey will fall," Türkkan concluded.

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We carried a heavy economic burden during the Syrian civil war, but when it comes to energy sharing, Turkey is absent. This shows that diplomacy is not just about photo opportunities.