Türkiye Outlines Two-State Cyprus Solution

Türkiye has reiterated its vision for a two-state solution to the Cyprus issue during discussions with a senior United Nations official, emphasizing that any resolution must reflect the existing realities on the island, Turkish diplomatic sources revealed.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay met with U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo in Ankara on Feb. 13, where he outlined Ankara’s stance ahead of a high-level meeting in Switzerland next month.

DiCarlo’s visit followed meetings with Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders on the island, as well as Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis in Athens, in preparation for the March 17-18 conference. The informal talks will convene representatives from Turkish and Greek Cypriot leadership, alongside foreign ministers from Türkiye and Greece, and a British deputy foreign minister, representing one of Cyprus’ three guarantor powers.

Türkiye Rejects Traditional U.N. Peace Parameters

The upcoming talks in Switzerland are not expected to mark the beginning of a new U.N.-led peace process, as Türkiye has made clear it will not engage under the same negotiation framework that has failed in the past.

Deputy Minister Bozay reaffirmed Ankara’s support for Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar’s firm stance, insisting that any future resolution must acknowledge the sovereignty of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). He assured the U.N. that Türkiye remains committed to contributing constructively to next month’s discussions.

Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot administration emphasize that Greek Cyprus has previously rejected two U.N.-led peace plans—one in 2004 and another in 2017—that sought to establish a federal administration on the island. They argue that Cyprus is home to two distinct nations, each governing its own state, and insist that a solution must be founded on this bifurcated reality.

Türkiye and Turkish Cypriot leaders stress that any fresh diplomatic effort must begin with international recognition of the TRNC’s sovereign equality and equal international status.

Greek Cyprus Protests Pakistan’s Support for TRNC

In a related development, Greek Cyprus has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations and the European Union over statements by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who suggested Islamabad could officially recognize Turkish Cyprus.

"Pakistan fully supports the cause of [Turkish Republic of] Northern Cyprus and fully stands by Türkiye on this cause in an unwavering fashion," Sharif declared on Feb. 13 during a joint press conference with visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Greek Cyprus’ Foreign Ministry condemned Sharif’s remarks and noted that due to the lack of direct diplomatic relations between Nicosia and Islamabad, it was necessary to escalate the issue to the U.N. and the EU.