“The annexation of northern Cyprus with Turkey is a matter of life and death”: Bahçeli

ANKARA — Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting on Monday, declared that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be integrated into Turkey, saying, “The TRNC must become Turkey’s 82nd province; this is a matter of life and death.”

Bahçeli began his remarks by addressing the recent presidential elections held in Northern Cyprus. Noting that voter turnout stood at 62 percent, he described this as insufficient. “Mr. Tufan Erhürman has been elected the new president. However, the participation rate was low. The TRNC should make the decision to join the Republic of Turkey,” he said.

“Cyprus Is Turkish — the Ancestral Homeland of the Turks”

Reaffirming his party’s firm stance on Cyprus, Bahçeli firmly rejected proposals for a federal solution: “Cyprus is Turkish, the ancestral homeland of the Turks. Federation proposals have no validity or future. Cyprus is our national cause, and there can be no turning back from this just and rightful struggle.”

Bahçeli emphasized that the security of Cyprus and Turkey are inseparable, stating, “The future of Cyprus is the same as the future of Turkey. In this regard, Cyprus is Turkish and will always remain Turkish.”

“After Düzce, the 82nd Province Should Be the TRNC”

The MHP leader expressed dissatisfaction with the election outcome in Northern Cyprus, despite the official announcement of the results. “Even if the election results have been declared by the electoral authority, they should not be accepted. The TRNC should decide to unite with the Republic of Turkey. This is a matter of homeland, of survival, of national security,” he said.

Recalling a similar statement he made during his party’s October 3 group meeting, Bahçeli added: “If conditions allow, after Düzce became the 81st province, the 82nd should now be the TRNC. This has become a matter of vital importance.”

Concluding his address, Bahçeli underlined his party’s unwavering commitment to its principles:

“The meaning of our politics is rooted in truth. Wherever the truth lies, we stand there. We will never compromise our stance for fear of offending others.”