Niyazi Kızılyürek: Two-State Solution Contradicts Turkey’s Interests!

Former European Parliament Member Niyazi Kızılyürek appeared on the “Gündem” program on Kıbrıs Postası TV, hosted by Ulaş Barış.

First, in the program, Kızılyürek commented on the founding of the Republic of Cyprus, noting that due to the leaders of the time, identification with the state did not occur. On one side was the Greek Cypriot leadership’s Enosis demand, and on the other side were the Turkish Cypriot leadership’s separatist demands. Kızılyürek said that the 1964 conflicts were largely motivated by these demands. Ultimately, he stated that neither side’s wishes were fulfilled, and in 1964, the Republic of Cyprus came under the control of the Greek Cypriots.

“WHILE TURKISH CYPRIOTS WERE LEFT STATELESS, GREEK CYPRIOTS REALIZED THAT PURSUING ENOSIS WOULD TRIGGER TURKISH INTERVENTION”

From that point on, Kızılyürek said, Turkish Cypriots, as partners in a state, fell into a stateless position, while Greek Cypriots realized that pursuing Enosis could lead to Turkish intervention. He noted that especially from 1974 onwards, Greek Cypriots began internalizing the Republic of Cyprus, and state consciousness and nationalism intensified. Symbols such as the flag and state institutions began to be preferred by Greek Cypriots over Enosis.

He stated that all these developments explain why Greek Cypriots voted “no” to the Annan Plan. He said that the desire of Greek Cypriots to manage the Republic of Cyprus alone explains their opposition to a comprehensive solution. He added that the Turkish Cypriot community has not lost its legal subjectivity in the international arena and that Turkish Cypriots still retain rights arising from the Republic of Cyprus. Kızılyürek emphasized that UN decisions regarding the north of the island hinder recognition of the state, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, rather than the community.

“TODAY, TURKEY IS IN A POSITION APPROVING TRUMP’S PLAN IN GAZA; THERE IS NOTHING TO PREVENT PRESSURE FOR A SOLUTION IN CYPRUS THROUGH POSSIBLE EXTERNAL INTERVENTION”

Kızılyürek also assessed global developments, stating that the Republic of Cyprus was an externally imposed solution model at the time, influenced by NATO and regional actors, whereas today the United States has increased its regional influence. Turkey’s approval of Trump’s plan in Gaza demonstrates that there is no barrier to Turkey’s relations with Israel developing, or to potential external pressure for a solution in Cyprus.

He noted that during Trump’s first term in 2016, an energy corridor was created with the participation of Greece, Israel, and the Republic of Cyprus, surrounding Turkey through efforts of the Israeli lobby. He said that any step excluding Turkey triggered geopolitical tension, making the Cyprus issue a partner in this problem. He added that in this context, negotiations for a possible solution could be brought back onto the agenda in Cyprus.

“THERE ARE SERIOUS LOBBY GROUPS IN ISRAEL, GREECE AND SOUTH CYPRUS WANTING THE PERMANENT DIVISION OF THE ISLAND”

Kızılyürek said, “We know Israel does not want a federal solution in Cyprus.” He noted that the geopolitical tension that started in energy in 2016 undermined Crans Montana. Israel believed that a potential federal solution would give Turkey a say in Cyprus. Kızılyürek added that Israel and many lobby groups in Greece benefit from Greek Cypriots ruling the South and Turkish Cypriots ruling the North.

He said that bilateral relations are targeted through the “Republic of Cyprus” and that the two-state solution is supported by Israel and Greece, but presenting it as a national policy is contradictory.

“DOES GREECE WANT TO BUILD ITS STRATEGIC RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL OR TURKEY?”

Kızılyürek stated that Turkey has very concrete demands within the European Union, which is why Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets with the Greek Cypriot Leader whenever possible. He said the main question should be whether Greece intends to base its geostrategic relations with Israel or Turkey, and whether the partnership with Israel aligns with its own interests.

“DUE TO THE CURRENT STATUS QUO, GROUPS IN GREECE FAVORING THE PERMANENT DIVISION OF CYPRUS ARE INCREASING”

Kızılyürek said that in Greece, the segment favoring permanent division of Cyprus for Greek interests is growing, and the Republic of Cyprus in its current form is seen as a second Hellenic state. He noted that a potential federal solution, in which Turkish Cypriots would participate, would negatively impact Greek interests.

“TODAY, DUE TO THE STATUS QUO, SOUTH CYPRUS BENEFITS FROM ALL OF TURKEY’S REGIONAL CONCERNS”

Kızılyürek stressed that historically, Turkey’s support for the Republic of Cyprus was aimed at ensuring Turkish Cypriots had a say and preventing Turkey from being encircled. Today, the status quo has revived all these concerns: South Cyprus is arming itself, foreign forces are present in its ports, and separatist policies have resurrected these worries.

“THE TWO-STATE SOLUTION MODEL CONTRADICTS TURKEY’S INTERESTS”

Kızılyürek said self-determination in Cyprus is based on partnership, not separation, and that advocating a two-state solution contradicts Turkey’s interests. He noted that former Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiadis introduced the two-state solution to undermine the Guterres document, and Turkey today defends this policy but retains maneuvering power for future vision changes.

“A POTENTIAL PERMANENT DIVISION IN CYPRUS WOULD REKINDLE ALL GEOPOLITICAL CONCERNS FOR TURKEY AND NORTHERN CYPRUS”

He emphasized that a permanent division in Cyprus would reignite geopolitical concerns for Turkey and Northern Cyprus, allowing South Cyprus to continue its encirclement and armament policies without restraint.

“THE ELECTION OF ERHÜRMAN IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR TURKISH CYPRIOTS IN MANY RESPECTS”

Finally, Kızılyürek spoke about the presidential elections, stating that the election of Tufan Erhürman is highly significant. He said that Turkish Cypriots being active participants and a candidate supporting the federation model returning to the stage will have an important impact in all international institutions. He added that there will be no problems in relations with Turkey, and that the gains achieved through comprehensive negotiations are as important as the steps leading to a solution, benefiting Turkey as well.