Ertuğruloğlu: Two-State Solution Is the Only Realistic Path for Cyprus

Speaking at the Foreign Policy Committee meeting held as part of the "Vision and Project Workshop for a Strong and Sovereign Future of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," organized under the auspices of National Unity Party (UBP) leader and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Ertuğruloğlu addressed international relations experts, historians, diplomats and academics, who agreed that the federal model has been exhausted.

The workshop also brought together UBP officials, former party and state representatives, professional organizations, civil society groups, local government representatives and subject-matter experts.

Delivering a comprehensive presentation, Ertuğruloğlu also listened to and assessed the participants' views and recommendations.

'The Federal Model Has Run Its Course'

Ertuğruloğlu said the federal model, negotiated for more than half a century, has completely lost its viability, arguing that a permanent and sustainable settlement is only possible through a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.

He stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side acts in full coordination with Turkey, adding that efforts to reach a federal settlement effectively ended after the collapse of the 2017 Crans-Montana conference.

Referring to UN Secretary-General António Guterres' visit to the island last week, Ertuğruloğlu said the absence of common ground between the two sides had once again been confirmed, adding that "it is vital that we fully protect our state."

"There are now two separate peoples with different languages, religions and national identities, and two separate state authorities on the island," he said, arguing that no fair or lasting settlement could be achieved by ignoring these realities.

He maintained that any future process could only succeed if the Turkish Cypriot people's inherent rights are recognized and the TRNC's sovereign equality and equal international status are confirmed.

'Status Inequality Is the Greatest Obstacle to a Settlement'

Ertuğruloğlu argued that the root cause of the Cyprus issue is the inequality of status created by UN Security Council Resolution 186, adopted in 1964, which recognized the Greek Cypriot side as the island's sole legitimate authority while reducing the Turkish Cypriots to the status of a "community."

"This structural inequality must be addressed before any UN-led process can succeed," he said.

'The EU Is Not a Neutral Actor'

The foreign minister described the European Union's decision to admit the Greek Cypriot administration as a member before a Cyprus settlement as a "strategic mistake," arguing that it further strengthened the Greek Cypriot side's uncompromising stance.

He also criticized the appointment of European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as the EU's so-called "Special Representative for Cyprus," saying the move, taken without regard for the will of the Turkish Cypriot side, demonstrated once again that the EU cannot be considered a neutral actor.

'We Are Working to Increase Our International Visibility'

Ertuğruloğlu said the TRNC is working in close coordination with Turkey to strengthen its international visibility by enhancing ties with the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organization.

He said achievements on these platforms have helped present the Turkish Cypriot side's position to a broader international audience.

"Our goal is to further increase the TRNC's international visibility, firmly defend the inherent rights of our people on every platform, and advance the vision of a two-state solution more effectively in the international arena," he said.

'We Will Preserve the Effectiveness of the IPC'

Addressing property-related issues, Ertuğruloğlu accused the Greek Cypriot side of politicizing the issue and noted that the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) has been recognized by the European Court of Human Rights as an effective domestic remedy.

He said the government would continue efforts to preserve the IPC's effectiveness and provide it with the necessary financial resources, adding that expanding the e-visa system and digital consular services will be among the government's priorities in the coming period.