Erdogan asserts two-state solution only path for Cyprus dispute

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has firmly stated that the most viable resolution to the long-standing Cyprus issue is the coexistence of two independent states on the island. The Turkish President made these remarks during a joint press conference in Ankara with Tufan Erhurman, the newly elected President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), who was on his first official visit to Türkiye.

Root Cause of the Deadlock

President Erdogan identified the core obstacle to a settlement as the Greek Cypriot administration's persistent refusal to acknowledge the sovereign equality and international status of the Turkish Cypriot people. "The Greek Cypriot side neither wants to share political power nor economic prosperity with the Turks on the island, nor will it ever agree to do so," Erdogan stated, emphasizing that this stance has rendered decades of negotiations fruitless.

A New Approach for a Lasting Solution

Criticizing past international efforts, including what he described as mistakes by the UN Security Council and the EU's acceptance of the Greek Cypriot administration, Erdogan argued that outdated negotiation frameworks must be abandoned. "Trying to solve today’s problems with outdated approaches will get us nowhere," he said, reinforcing the position that a bizonal, two-state model is the only foundation for a just and permanent peace that ensures the security and prosperity of both communities.

Continued Solidarity and Cooperation

Both leaders pledged to maintain close coordination on all political and diplomatic fronts. Erdogan vowed that Türkiye, as the motherland and guarantor power, would never leave the Turkish Cypriot people alone in their struggle. The leaders also discussed accelerating bilateral cooperation projects aimed at enhancing the welfare of Turkish Cypriots and mitigating the effects of long-term isolation, reaffirming their commitment to a shared future.