Foreign Ministry Rejects European Parliament Report On Cyprus

In a written statement, the Ministry said the report reflects what it called the European Union’s “partial and inaccurate approach” to the Cyprus issue, and dismissed the allegations contained in it.

It argued that the report ignores the sovereign will, rights, and present-day realities of the Turkish Cypriot people, and rejected any characterisation that undermines their political status.

The Ministry also criticised references in the report describing Turkish Cypriots only as “a legitimate community on the island,” as well as calls for Turkey to provide political space for Turkish Cypriots. It reaffirmed that the TRNC continues to exist as an independent state with democratic institutions and a freely expressed popular mandate.

“Imposed federation model does not reflect realities”

The statement rejected the European Parliament’s continued reference to a federation-based settlement model as the only option, arguing that it is not compatible with current political and factual conditions on the island.

It added that past efforts based on a federal model, which it said had failed due to the Greek Cypriot side’s stance, should not be revived as a viable framework for a solution.

According to the Ministry, a lasting and fair settlement is only possible through recognition of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Criticism of EU stance on Akyar, Pile and Varosha

The Ministry also dismissed as “biased and unfounded” the report’s references to Akyar, Pile, Varosha, property issues, missing persons, cultural heritage, and alleged violations in the buffer zone, stating that such assessments are “null and void” from the perspective of the TRNC.

It further criticised calls for the appointment of a new EU Special Representative for Cyprus, arguing that the European Union has long ignored the rights of Turkish Cypriots and cannot act as a neutral facilitator in the process.

Call to the European Union

The statement accused the EU of failing to fulfil its 2004 commitments to lift restrictions on Turkish Cypriots, while instead rewarding the Greek Cypriot side.

It called on EU institutions to adopt a more balanced and constructive approach that respects the sovereign equality and equal international status of Turkish Cypriots.

The statement concluded that the TRNC will continue to act in coordination with Turkey to protect the security, welfare, and sovereignty of its people, and will maintain efforts to achieve international recognition of its equal status.