By Janet Ekstract. ISTANBUL -On Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar. Fidan reiterated how crucial a two-state solution is for Cyprus, underscoring the importance of sovereignty for both a Turkish and Greek Cyprus. Fidan, speaking at a joint news conference in Lefkosa with the Republic of Turkish Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar, said: “There is no other option but a two-state solution for Cyprus.” Fidan said the door is open for all parties – Turkiye, Greece, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot administration to seek a resolution. Though the U.N. has been involved in diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement that works for all parties, five decades of Cyprus talks still haven’t achieved a solution. Because both the Turkish and Cypriot sides trust each other, Fidan said, while respecting one another’s borders and security this can lead to greater benefits. Fidan added that these would include economic development, peace, stability and major contributions to the region with diverse cooperation models.
Fidan reiterated that some parties are more focused on “political concerns” rather than finding a lasting solution to the issue. He added that it will be necessary for risks to be taken if the long-term benefits of a two-state solution are to be reached. Fidan also pointed out that over a 50-year period that TRNC was subject to isolationism and that Turkiye will continue its cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, economy, transport, telecommunications and energy with TRNC. There were previous attempts by the U.N. under Kofi Annan to unite the two states of Cyprus but those efforts failed. At issue, is the fact that though Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration support a federation on Cyprus, Turkiye and the TRNC prefer a two-state solution that they say reflects the realities on the ground.
