Hasipoğlu: The Federation Option Has Become Completely Impossible

Speaking on Hüseyin Ekmekçi’s programme on Haber Kıbrıs Web TV, Hasipoğlu evaluated the “two-state solution resolution” recently passed by the Parliament, describing it as a continuation of 22 previous parliamentary decisions on the Cyprus issue. “Between 1983 and 2010, 22 parliamentary resolutions were adopted on the Cyprus issue — some unanimously, others by majority. At that time, the federation model was under discussion. But now, a new chapter has begun,” he said, stressing that the federation framework under UN parameters had collapsed.

Hasipoğlu noted that the latest resolution fully aligned with the proposals President Ersin Tatar presented to the UN in Geneva. “The reasoning behind this decision completely overlaps with President Tatar’s proposals. Ten years ago, such an approach would not have been possible. But today, it rests on a more reasonable and realistic foundation,” he added.

“Federation Is No Longer a Viable Option”

“The time has come to stop discussing federation. We must demand our sovereign equality and equal international status. We must fight to lift the isolation and restrictions imposed on us. The latest parliamentary decision clearly demonstrates that the federation model, within the UN framework, has been completely exhausted. Federation is not almost impossible — it is entirely impossible,” Hasipoğlu said.

“The Crans-Montana Process Closed the Chapter on Federation”

The minister argued that the failure of the 2017 Crans-Montana talks marked the end of the federation option. He said the Greek Cypriot side never agreed on key issues such as rotating presidency, political equality, security, and guarantees. “In 2017, Anastasiades explicitly said ‘zero troops, zero guarantees’. With those words, the federation process effectively ended,” he stated.

“We Cannot Expect Different Results by Repeating the Same Discussions”

Hasipoğlu emphasised that the Cyprus issue was one of status, rooted in sovereignty. “There are two sovereign peoples on the island, and any solution must be based on the equality of these two sovereign peoples,” he said.

Recalling that the National Unity Party (UBP) had discussed federation for decades, Hasipoğlu remarked, “We cannot expect different results by discussing the same things. For 40 years, both sides have interpreted the UN parameters of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation differently, and no path to consensus has been found.”

“There Is Serious Confusion Within the Republican Turkish Party”

Commenting on Republican Turkish Party (CTP) candidate Tufan Erhürman, Hasipoğlu said there was serious confusion in Erhürman’s current stance.

He recalled that during Erhürman’s premiership, there had been no significant progress in relations between Turkey and the TRNC. “He didn’t hammer a single nail or sign a single protocol,” Hasipoğlu said. “Erhürman left, saying he couldn’t see light at the end of the tunnel. In contrast, President Tatar, with his clear vision, has established strong relations with Turkey and the Turkic states. He started from the right place and is moving in the right direction. He has remained consistent in his thinking. With the support of motherland Turkey, our state will find its rightful place. At this point, I see not even a glimmer of hope for the federation thesis,” he concluded.