Üstel: “Guarantees Mean a Two-State Solution”

In a statement responding to Erdoğan’s comments, Üstel said:

“President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s latest statements mark a historic milestone shaping not only Turkey’s future but also that of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

President Erdoğan has once again, and in the strongest possible terms, reminded the world that Turkey’s guarantee rights — safeguarded under international law and United Nations resolutions — are non-negotiable.

For us, this is a roadmap. We know very well that without Turkey’s guarantees, there can be no security, and without security there can be no future for the Turkish Cypriot people.

Guarantees mean a two-state solution.

All past attempts to entertain the public with the illusion of federation have failed.

In every federal plan previously proposed, the Greek Cypriot side rejected Turkey’s guarantee.

A solution without Turkey would mean insecurity, uncertainty, and leaving the Turkish Cypriots at the mercy of the Greek Cypriots.

We have seen this movie before and paid dearly for Greek Cypriot plans to reduce us to a minority.

To those who still defend federation today, I say this: Federation means no guarantees — and no guarantees mean the disappearance of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Our people can no longer be deceived with such dreams. This path would leave Turkish Cypriots without guarantees and without security.

The position of the Turkish Cypriot side and of Turkey is clear: The federation chapter is closed. Our way forward — with Turkey’s steadfast support — is a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.

This vision is also the guarantee of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

President Erdoğan’s message is clear: Turkey will never give up its guarantees for the honorable future of the Turkish Cypriot people. This is possible only through a two-state solution.

Our people, our state, and our motherland will never step back from this determination.”