The ongoing stalemate between Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders continues to fuel tensions over Cyprus's future. With recent developments, including high-profile speeches at the United Nations and strategic maneuvers by the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar has once again firmly asserted the need for a two-state solution—a solution that reflects the realities on the island today.

UN Showdown: The War of Words

During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2023, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the pursuit of a federal solution to resolve the Cyprus issue. Christodoulides claimed that the future of the island must be aligned with the principles established by the United Nations Security Council and dismissed any alternative, including the two-state proposal backed by Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

However, President Ersin Tatar swiftly rebutted Christodoulides, criticizing his attempts to rewrite history and sideline the rights of Turkish Cypriots. Speaking to Turkish Cypriot media, Tatar stated, “Christodoulides’ speech does not reflect the truth… The Cyprus issue has been ongoing since 1963. He does not mention the sufferings and forced displacement of Turkish Cypriots before 1974. In this case, I question his sincerity”. Tatar’s words resonate deeply with the Turkish Cypriot community, which still carries the scars of the violent events that forced them into enclaves before the 1974 intervention by Türkiye.

Tatar also highlighted the Greek Cypriot leader’s failure to acknowledge the collapse of previous negotiations. “It is known worldwide that the negotiations for a federal settlement have been exhausted for years… Christodoulides is still insisting on a federal settlement, but the whole world has learned that there cannot be an agreement on a federal basis”.

The Collapse of the Federation Model

The federation-based solution, once the favored model to reunify Cyprus, has crumbled under the weight of divergent visions. The last major effort to reach a federal agreement was at Crans-Montana in 2017, which ended in failure. Since then, Turkish Cypriots have grown increasingly disillusioned with a model that many see as a tool to entrench Greek Cypriot dominance.

Tatar has consistently argued that the only viable path forward is a two-state solution, a position that enjoys strong support from Türkiye. This vision, according to Tatar, would safeguard Turkish Cypriot sovereignty and ensure a future built on equality, rather than submission to the Greek-dominated Republic of Cyprus.

In response to Christodoulides’ ongoing push for federalism, Tatar stated, “The federation basis has collapsed and will never return… A just and lasting solution in Cyprus can only be achieved on the basis of cooperation between the ‘two states’”.

Greek Cypriot Intransigence: A Strategy of Isolation?

Tatar’s criticism of Christodoulides extends beyond the United Nations podium. He has accused the Greek Cypriot leader of perpetuating the isolation of Turkish Cypriots and using the international stage to mislead the global community. “The most unacceptable daring of the Greek Cypriot leader,” Tatar said, “was that he spoke about the Turkish Cypriot ‘people.’… The future of the Turkish Cypriot ‘people’ is not subject to either the Greek Cypriot leader or the Greek Cypriot mentality”.

For decades, Turkish Cypriots have endured international isolation, and many argue that Greek Cypriots have capitalized on their status within the European Union to block Turkish Cypriot access to diplomatic and economic platforms. Tatar emphasized that this era of isolation must come to an end, stating that “with the support of the motherland [Türkiye]… the TRNC has come to a point where it must be recognized by the whole world”.

The Role of Türkiye: A Steadfast Ally

Türkiye’s unwavering support for the TRNC remains the bedrock of Turkish Cypriot confidence in the face of international challenges. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has long been a vocal advocate of the two-state solution and has reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to defending Turkish Cypriot sovereignty.

In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Erdoğan underscored that federalism is no longer a realistic option for Cyprus and called for the international community to recognize the TRNC. Tatar echoed these sentiments, praising Türkiye’s “historic and valuable speeches” that have helped propel the TRNC toward greater global recognition.

TCE Conclusion: A New Path Forward

The push for a two-state solution represents a turning point in the long and bitter history of Cyprus. While Greek Cypriot leaders like Christodoulides continue to cling to outdated notions of federalism, Turkish Cypriots, under the leadership of President Tatar, are forging ahead with a bold new vision.

As Tatar firmly stated, “We will not play a role in the continuation of the comfort zone [of the Greek Cypriots]… This era is over”. For Turkish Cypriots, the future is clear: cooperation and peaceful coexistence must be built on the foundation of two equal, sovereign states, not the broken promises of past negotiations.

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References

1. CyprusScene.com. “President Tatar: Christodoulides’ speech does not reflect the truth.” Accessed September 21, 2023.
2. Politico. “Turkish Cypriot leader says no reason for UN-led Cyprus talks.” Accessed August 4, 2024.
3. ProtoThema. “Cyprus: Tatar stubbornly rejects meeting with the UN Secretary General.” Accessed August 6, 2024.