The representative of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not want to answer BIMA’s question about how Berlin comments on the result of the elections in the occupied country. But he did it out of fear.
“I don’t want to comment on it in relation to the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. What I can say is the attitude of the German government on the Cyprus issue. It is important to repeat this because it is not a topic that is often discussed here (in the briefings). It supports the UN-led process and the creation of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in accordance with relevant UN resolutions. This requires the UN process. We hope for a new momentum in this UN-led negotiating process.”
To a new question from BIMA if he now hopes for the reunification of the island, he replied: “I hope for what I just said.” Spokesperson Kathryn Desauer also did not want to provide information on whether any movement was observed in the Cyprus issue since the recent meeting of German Foreign Minister Johann Wedeful with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara.
What is the German press saying?
The German press, however, is moderately optimistic. “Cyprus on the rocks, Tufan Erhiurman wants what Erdogan does not want, rapprochement with the EU, closer relations with the Republic of Cyprus and perhaps even a united state,” writes the left-wing newspaper taz. “Erhiurman opposes Ankara’s nationalist logic, based on multilateral progress instead of narrow-minded sentiments. This stance has the characteristics needed to bring some mobility to the frozen conflict.” Klaus Hillenbrand, who signs the comment and has worked as a freelance journalist in Cyprus, does not seem to have any illusions about a quick result. “But a little normalcy on the island would be a good start,” he notes.
Raphael Geiger, Süddeutsche Zeitung’s Ankara correspondent, sees the outcome of the pseudo-state’s presidential election as “an encouraging sign for the opposition in Turkey” and a shrinking of “Erdogan’s prestige among voters.” He reminds that Ersin Tatar managed to be elected in 2020 thanks to the long arm of Ankara. “But in this election that is not the case,” he writes, pointing out that Turkey’s Islamic influence is unpopular in the occupied territories, as is Turkey’s imported economic crisis. “Erdogan’s power, even the myth of a historical figure that some believe surrounds him, was no longer enough to convince people to vote for his candidate.” The German correspondent predicts that the Turkish president will try to create such conditions in his country that he will not be afraid of losing elections with non-serious opponents “unlike Ersin Tatar”.
