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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared support for a two-state solution to the decades-long Cyprus dispute during a joint press conference with newly elected Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Tufan Erhurman at the presidential complex on Wednesday.
"We believe that the most realistic solution to the Cyprus issue lies in the coexistence of two states on the island," Erdogan said, reinforcing Ankara's position ahead of the TRNC's 42nd anniversary of independence on November 15.
The statements came during Erhurman's first official visit to Türkiye since winning the TRNC presidential election on October 19. Erdogan congratulated Erhurman on his election victory and praised the peaceful conduct of the vote.
Erdogan attributed the failure to resolve the Cyprus question to what he described as the Greek Cypriot side's refusal to recognize Turkish Cypriots' sovereign equality and equal international status. He accused the Greek Cypriot leadership of unwillingness to share political power or economic prosperity with Turkish Cypriots.
"The Greek Cypriot side sees the solution for Cyprus in reducing Turkish Cypriots to minority status in the partnership state that they seized by force in 1963, which today has no validity whatsoever," Erdogan said.
Erdogan referenced failed negotiation attempts stretching back to 1968, pointing specifically to the collapse of talks in 2017 when the Greek Cypriot side withdrew from discussions. He also mentioned the Annan Plan and the European Union's decision to admit Cyprus as a member despite the plan's rejection.
"We will no longer continue negotiations that have been going on since 1968 and have not reached any conclusion, just for the sake of appearances," Erdogan said, emphasizing that Türkiye and the TRNC maintain complete agreement on this stance.
The Turkish president endorsed Erhurman's recent messages to the Greek Cypriot side emphasizing that there would be no compromise on Turkish Cypriots' sovereign equality, calling this approach "quite appropriate" given Erhurman's experience on the negotiation committee between 2008 and 2010.
Erhurman, speaking at the same event, highlighted Türkiye's role as one of three guarantor countries with authority and responsibilities regarding all of Cyprus. He noted the increasing militarization in southern Cyprus and the broader region.
"Not only because of the unshakeable brotherhood between us, but also as a guarantor country — which is the legal basis for Turkish Cypriots to feel secure — Türkiye remains one of the most important actors in all efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, today as it was yesterday," Erhurman said.
The TRNC president asserted that the Turkish Cypriot people constitute one of two equal founding partners in Cyprus, declaring this status "not open to discussion, negotiation, or bargaining." He emphasized that Turkish Cypriots hold sovereignty rights over the entire island and cannot be excluded from decisions regarding energy, hydrocarbons, maritime jurisdictions, and trade routes.
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Erdogan stated that Türkiye would maintain its political and diplomatic efforts to ensure the TRNC receives proper representation in the international community. Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz will coordinate initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and daily lives of Turkish Cypriots while mitigating the effects of isolation.
"As the motherland and guarantor, we will never leave the Turkish Cypriot people alone in their rightful struggle, just as we did not yesterday, and will not tomorrow," Erdogan said.
Both leaders emphasized their commitment to close coordination on future steps regarding the Cyprus issue. Erdogan noted that the current international context differs significantly from previous eras, stating that "yesterday's sun cannot dry today's laundry."
The Turkish president concluded by extending condolences for Turkish Cypriots' message of sympathy following the deaths of 20 Turkish soldiers in a military cargo plane crash in Georgia two days prior.
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