Fikri Toros: Federal Solution is the Only Realistic Solution Model

In his social media post, Toros continued with the following remarks:

"The Annan Plan, which was the first and only comprehensive solution plan for the Cyprus issue, was presented to the parties in November 2002 under the name of the then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Negotiations continued until March 2004 to finalize the plan. The plan was then simultaneously presented to the Cypriot communities on April 24, 2004, through referendums.

"In accordance with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the plan aimed for a single Federal State with shared sovereignty based on political equality, a single international identity, and representation. The Turkish Cypriot Community, with a strong majority of 65%, approved the plan. Assessing the referendum result, UN Secretary-General Annan stated that due to the strong will of the Turkish Cypriot Community for a single state on the island, there was no legitimate justification for the ongoing isolation.

"Unfortunately, the Cyprus problem remains unresolved as the plan was not accepted by the Greek Cypriot Community. If the plan had been accepted by both communities, a 'United Federal Cyprus' would be celebrating its 20th anniversary today, and EU law would be in effect across the island.

"I salute once again the dignified will of the Turkish Cypriots, who, with a strong majority, expressed their desire for reunification under a federal framework.

"Following the Annan Plan referendum, crossing points were opened for the first time in years, allowing movement across the island. This facilitated reunions, fostering the much-needed intercommunal relations for peace. Despite the problematic and divided nature of EU membership, Turkish Cypriots became EU citizens individually, obtaining their rights within the Union.

"Turkish Cypriots are aware that these achievements do not substitute for a comprehensive solution. Moreover, as the most affected party by the social and economic erosion caused by the status quo, they reject the notion of the status quo being a 'solution model.'

"The ongoing dialogue and negotiations under the auspices of the UN post-Annan Plan demonstrate the strong will and constructive steps of the Turkish side. However, the political mindset that, contrary to Security Council resolutions, conditions the continuation of negotiations on a two-state 'solution' based on 'sovereign equality' ignores the will of the Turkish Cypriots and regresses the process to the pre-Annan Plan era of the 1990s.

"A bi-zonal, bi-communal, and politically equal federal solution remain the only realistic solution model for achieving lasting peace and genuine democracy on our island. The only alternative is the continuation of the status quo, leading to the entrapment of the future of Turkish Cypriots in darkness."