President Ersin Tatar pitches two‑state solution on British TV

Story Background.

In K News (Kathimerini) on 27 June 2025, under the headline “Tatar pitches two‑state solution on British TV”, the article opens by observing that:

“Turkish‑Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar got a warmer welcome than expected … where he pitched his two‑state vision for Cyprus …”

The piece underscores how UK presenter Kevin O’Sullivan repeatedly referred to the north as “democratic,” “prosperous,” and endorsed Ankara’s preferred terminology, telling Tatar, “You are a democratic country… you’ve only been recognized by your sister nation, Türkiye, and yet you’re doing well.” This framing, according to the original article, risks “blurring historical and legal lines.”

Yet, the article fails to meaningfully engage with why such framing matters, and why Tatar’s message represents a legitimate appeal to democratic and contemporary realities, not mere propaganda. From an activist standpoint advocating for Turkish Cypriot rights, what unfolded on TalkTV is not an anomaly, but a decisive step toward international recognition of Turkey‑Cyprus’s sovereign equality and political maturity.

Challenging the “Unusually Sympathetic” Framing

Democratic Reality vs. Denial

The suggestion that Kevin O’Sullivan’s portrayal of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as “democratic” and “prosperous” is simply “sympathetic framing” fails to account for hard facts. As noted in European Court of Human Rights decisions, the TRNC judiciary and administration meet recognized legal standards, operating with legitimate sovereignty in civil, administrative and criminal affairs. Labeling these structural achievements mere spin undermines their genuine rule‑of‑law credentials.

Prosperity Under Embargo

The North’s prosperity is not invented, it is founded on decades of sustained growth despite isolation. TRNC has navigated embargoes, erected universities welcoming international students, and established a robust private sector. These economic milestones challenge the narrative that prosperity is impossible outside the Republic of Cyprus’s EU framework.

Talks TV

President Ersin Tatar's appearance on 'Talks TV'

Two‑State Solution: A Legitimate Alternative

Widespread Turkish Cypriot Support

Tatar’s advocacy does not float in a vacuum. Polling by Turkish‑Cypriot surveyors indicates an overwhelming endorsement, 81 % support for two states was recorded in early 2020. This is not political posturing; it is the clear democratic expression of the Turkish‑Cypriot community demanding sovereign equality. Any suggestion of illegitimate lobbying misreads this mandate.

International Legal Context

The argument that the United Nations and EU reject any partition overlooks deeper jurisprudence. In cases addressing Kosovo's independence, the ICJ clarified that “international law contains no prohibition on declarations of independence”. Meanwhile, the European Court of Human Rights has affirmed the de facto legality of TRNC’s institutions to ensure human rights protections, regardless of de jure recognition.

If one accepts Bosnia-Herzegovina or Kosovo as exceptions, why deny the same principle when a distinct polity emerges, and self-governs democratically? The selective application of legal principles reeks of political bias, not legal consistency.

Strategic Diplomacy: TalkTV as Catalyst

Breaking the Diplomatic Stalemate

Critics label Tatar’s UK engagement “unsuccessful,” citing a lack of official UK government response. But this misunderstands how diplomatic winds change. Public discussions, like on TalkTV—are deliberate tactics aimed at reshaping public consciousness before policy, akin to a pressure play. Broadening support from British MPs and think tanks adds ballast to TRNC’s claim for legitimacy.

Laying the Legal Groundwork

The strategic language used, “democratic,” “sovereign,” “prosperous”, signals more than branding: it tests the legal and political thresholds for international engagement. Only once narratives shift politically can legal frameworks (e.g. court verdicts or bilateral memoranda) follow suit. Tatar’s media outreach lays that foundational groundwork.

What Comes Next

Media Engagement as Strategy

Tatar’s appearance on British media is just the opening salvo. Activist networks in Europe and beyond must amplify this narrative, measuring democracy, equality, and shared interests. A media-first strategy fosters public legitimacy, which underpins diplomatic moves.

Legal and Academic Advocacy

TRNC should commission independent legal reviews supporting its right to sovereign recognition. Universities in the UK and EU could host symposiums evaluating Cyprus under comparative political context, parsing precedents like Kosovo, Palestine, Somaliland. Activist scholars can propose frameworks for two-state models compatible with international law.

Parliamentary Mobilisation

Dedicated Parliamentary groups, such as the British‑Turkish Cypriot Friendship Group, represent critical inroads. Modern diplomacy runs parallel tracks: official diplomacy + parliamentary diplomacy + grassroots advocacy. Together, they can shift official policy.

TCE Conclusion

The Kathimerini article frames Tatar’s appearance as provocative, yet the truth is that TRNC’s democracy and sovereign identity cannot be indefinitely concealed. Recognition is not a departure from peace, it is a pathway to stability. As Tatar said, succinctly, “You’ve summed it up very well”: two sovereign, democratic, prosperous states.

The time has come for policymakers, diplomats, and activists to move beyond inherited assumptions. Nations are qualities proven, not just named. TRNC has proven. Now it deserves recognition.