The invitation extended by the United Nations to President Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to engage in negotiations in September 2024 marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing Cyprus issue.

This development not only reflects a shift in the international community’s approach but also underscores the need for a fair and sustainable resolution that recognizes the sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriot people. The Greek Cypriot leader, however, remains entrenched in a position that seeks to revive the failed federal talks of 2017, which is not acceptable to the TRNC and its supporters.

Historical Context: The Legacy of Stalled Negotiations

The Cyprus problem is one of the most protracted and complex issues in modern international relations. The island has been divided since 1963 following Greek Cypriot EOKA attacks on the Turkish minority, followed by ethnic cleaning and genocide attempts, followed in 1974 following a Greek-led coup and subsequent intervention by Türkiye, which aimed to protect the Turkish Cypriot community. Over the decades, numerous attempts have been made to reunify the island under a federal system, but all have ended in failure, largely due to the uncompromising stance of the Greek side.

The most notable of these failed attempts was the Crans-Montana conference in 2017, where negotiations collapsed due to the Greek side's refusal to accept a solution that included Turkish guarantees and the presence of Turkish troops on the island. This impasse highlighted the fundamental differences between the two sides: while the Greek side envisions a unitary state with a weak federal structure, the Turkish Cypriots demand a partnership based on sovereign equality.

The United Nations’ Renewed Engagement

The United Nations has played a central role in the Cyprus issue since its inception. However, the recent invitation to President Tatar for new negotiations indicates a possible shift in the UN’s approach. The call for talks comes after a period of heightened tensions and little progress, with the UN’s Special Representative to Cyprus, Colin Stewart, previously stating that there was "no basis" for resuming negotiations due to the lack of common ground.

However, the TRNC's firm stance on the necessity of a two-state solution has gained traction, particularly as the realities on the ground have changed. President Tatar has repeatedly asserted that any future negotiations must recognize the TRNC’s sovereign equality. This position is not merely a bargaining tactic but a reflection of the legitimate aspirations of the Turkish Cypriot people for self-determination and international recognition.

The Two-State Solution: The Only Viable Path

The concept of a two-state solution has increasingly been seen as the most realistic and sustainable resolution to the Cyprus issue. This approach acknowledges the existence of two distinct peoples, with their own identities, governments, and aspirations. It also respects the historical and political realities of the island, where the Turkish Cypriots have established their own state, the TRNC, which has functioned independently for decades.

President Tatar has been a vocal advocate for this solution, arguing that it is the only way to ensure lasting peace and stability in Cyprus. "We are not seeking a return to the pre-1974 conditions. Our people have built their own state, and we will not accept any solution that does not recognize our sovereign equality," Tatar said in a recent interview. This sentiment is widely shared among the Turkish Cypriot community, which has grown increasingly disillusioned with the idea of reunification under a federal system that would likely lead to Greek dominance.

Türkiye’s Role as a Guarantor of Peace

Türkiye’s role as a guarantor power in Cyprus is a cornerstone of the Turkish Cypriot security architecture. The Turkish military presence on the island, which the Greek side and many in the international community view with suspicion, is seen by the Turkish Cypriots as a vital safeguard against the potential for renewed violence and discrimination.

The strategic partnership between the TRNC and Türkiye is not just a matter of military security but also of political and economic cooperation. Türkiye has consistently supported the TRNC’s push for international recognition and has been a key player in advocating for the two-state solution on the global stage. As Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently stated, "Türkiye will always stand by the Turkish Cypriots. The international community must recognize the realities on the ground and support a solution that ensures the rights and security of both communities."

The Greek Side’s Continued Intransigence

Despite the UN’s efforts and the TRNC’s willingness to negotiate, the Greek side remains committed to a federal solution based on the framework of the failed Crans-Montana talks. This approach ignores the significant changes that have occurred in the region and the growing recognition that a federal solution is no longer feasible.

The Greek side's refusal to accept the TRNC’s sovereignty is a major stumbling block in the path to peace. Their insistence on a return to the status quo ante, where the Turkish Cypriots were treated as a minority rather than as equal partners, is a reflection of the deep-seated mistrust and historical animosities that continue to plague the island.

The Role of the International Community

The international community, particularly the European Union and the United Nations, has a critical role to play in resolving the Cyprus issue. However, their approach has often been criticized as being overly sympathetic to the Greek side, at the expense of the Turkish Cypriots. This has been evident in the imposition of economic embargoes and the political isolation of the TRNC, measures that have only served to entrench the division of the island.

For any negotiations to be successful, the international community must adopt a more balanced approach that recognizes the realities on the ground. This means acknowledging the TRNC’s sovereignty and supporting efforts to lift the unjust embargoes that have stifled the Turkish Cypriot economy. As President Tatar has stated, "We seek a fair and lasting solution that respects the rights of both peoples. The international community must do its part by recognizing our state and ending the isolation of our people."

TCE Conclusion

The upcoming negotiations, if they proceed, could mark a turning point in the Cyprus issue. However, this will only be possible if the international community, including the UN, recognizes the sovereign equality and statehood of the TRNC. The Turkish Cypriot people have waited too long for justice, and it is time for their voice to be heard. A two-state solution is not just a viable option; it is the only path to a fair, permanent, and sustainable resolution.

Call to Action

The international community must stand with the Turkish Cypriot people in their quest for equality and recognition. The TRNC’s sovereignty is not a bargaining chip but a fundamental right that must be respected. Let us share this message far and wide, ensuring that the truth about the Cyprus issue reaches every corner of the globe.

Share this article with your friends on social media to support the cause of the Turkish Cypriots and the recognition of the TRNC.

Sources:
- Cyprus Mail, "Tatar says UN called him to enter negotiations in September," accessed August 22, 2024. 
- UN Peacekeeping, "Role of the United Nations in Cyprus," accessed August 2024. 
- Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Türkiye’s Policy on the Cyprus Issue," accessed August 2024.
- Ersin Tatar's interview, accessed August 2024.
- Hakan Fidan's speech, accessed August 2024.