Straw: The Only Realistic Path for Cyprus Is a Two-State Solution

In his article for The Independent, Straw criticized Greek Cypriots for persistently adhering to a failed federal solution and argued that inaction on the Cyprus issue cannot continue indefinitely. "A new way of thinking is needed to remove this tumor from Europe," he said.

Straw pointed out that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s past remarks rejecting a two-state solution in Cyprus demonstrated that the EU was unlikely to take the right steps toward resolving the issue. However, he suggested that the UK and its Minister for Europe and North America, Stephen Doughty, have an opportunity to take the lead in finding a lasting solution to what he called an ailment affecting Europe for decades.

Recalling TRNC President Ersin Tatar’s criticism of the UK for not being a neutral guarantor, Straw noted that Greek Cypriot narratives had been consistently reinforced within the UK Foreign Office, shaping policy unfairly.

Straw identified the core issue as the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus’s membership in the EU, which has cemented the misconception that it governs the entire island. He admitted regretting his involvement in the decision to admit Cyprus into the EU as a whole, recognizing that in practice, the Republic of Cyprus does not and will never control the entire island.

Given the strategic significance of British military bases on the island, Straw stressed that any changes to the status quo should be approached with extreme caution, particularly by the UK.

Source: The Independent