Turkish President Erdogan addresses Cyprus and regional relations

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an end to maximalist approaches in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean. He asserted the existence of two separate peoples and states on Cyprus, rejecting claims of a singular sovereign entity. In a separate meeting in Istanbul with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, Erdogan warned that foreign military forces stationed in Cyprus due to regional tensions must remain temporary. The discussions involved senior Turkish officials including intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. Erdogan also addressed bilateral relations with Greece, specifically citing concerns regarding the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. He criticized the Greek government's appointment of muftis, arguing it violates the 1913 Treaty of Athens, while Greece maintains that the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne supersedes earlier agreements. Turkey continues to demand the direct election of religious leaders in the region. The Greek government maintains that the rights of the minority are fully respected under national law.