Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence has firmly reiterated Ankara’s commitment to a two-state solution for the divided island of Cyprus, dismissing any settlement proposals that fail to recognise the “sovereign equality” of the Turkish Cypriot side.

The statement came amid media reports suggesting that a new United Nations initiative may be under consideration to revive efforts aimed at resolving the decades-long Cyprus dispute.

Speaking during a press briefing, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, spokesperson for the Turkish Defence Ministry, dismissed any proposal that, in Ankara’s view, fails to acknowledge the political status of the Turkish Cypriot side.

“In recent days, some Greek Cypriot media outlets have claimed that the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General has prepared a new plan for resolving the Cyprus issue and that it will be presented for consultation with the Greek Cypriot Administration and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” Aktürk said.

Aktürk stressed that Türkiye believes a lasting settlement on the island can only be achieved through a framework based on two sovereign states.

“A permanent, fair and sustainable solution on the island is possible only on the basis of a two-state solution, founded on the affirmation of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people,” he said.

According to the ministry, any initiative that ignores these principles would fail to reflect the will of Turkish Cypriots and would be unlikely to provide long-term stability on the island.

Aktürk described Türkiye’s position on Cyprus as “clear, unambiguous and unwavering,” adding that Ankara would oppose any proposal it believes undermines the rights of Turkish Cypriots or disrupts what it called the island’s delicate balance.

The defence ministry also reaffirmed Türkiye’s role as a guarantor power under existing international agreements related to Cyprus.

“The security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is Türkiye’s security,” Aktürk said.

He added that Türkiye would continue to support the peace, security and prosperity of Turkish Cypriots and would maintain its responsibilities as a guarantor state in accordance with international agreements and international law.

Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Türkiye intervened militarily following a Greek-backed coup on the island. The northern part of Cyprus later declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Türkiye.

For decades, the United Nations has supported efforts to reunify the island under a federal framework. However, negotiations have remained stalled since 2017, with significant disagreements persisting between the two sides.

In recent years, Ankara and Turkish Cypriot authorities have increasingly advocated a two-state model, arguing that previous federal-based negotiations have failed to produce a viable solution. The position continues to be rejected by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union, both of which continue to support a reunification settlement based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

The latest comments from Ankara highlight the continuing divisions over the future of Cyprus as speculation grows over possible new diplomatic efforts to restart negotiations on one of the region’s longest-running disputes. (ILKHA)