Erdoğan: The Most Realistic Solution Lies in a Two-State Model

As part of his visit to Ankara, President Erhürman was welcomed with an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex. The ceremony began with mounted guards receiving Erhürman’s official car on the road in front of the complex and escorting it to the protocol gate, where President Erdoğan greeted him at the main entrance. After posing for photos in front of the Turkish and TRNC flags, the two presidents proceeded to their meeting before holding a joint press conference.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: The Most Realistic Solution Lies in the Coexistence of Two States on the Island

Speaking first at the press conference, Erdoğan said, “We held a comprehensive and productive meeting with President Erhürman and his esteemed delegation. We discussed the joint steps that can be taken in the coming period within the framework of the current course of the Cyprus issue.”

Emphasizing that Turkey’s position on Cyprus has always been clear, Erdoğan stated:
“The main reason the Cyprus issue has remained unresolved to this day is the Greek Cypriot side’s refusal to recognize the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot side neither wants to share political power nor economic prosperity with the Turks on the island — and, moreover, has never shown any willingness to do so.”

Erdoğan noted that he found President Erhürman’s messages to be well-grounded, given his experience both as prime minister and as a member of negotiation teams. He said, “We will not continue negotiations just for the sake of appearances, as has been the case since 1968,” and shared his outlook for the island’s future:
“The most realistic solution to the Cyprus issue is based on the coexistence of two states on the island. We maintain our position that the two communities can live side by side in peace, prosperity, and security.”

Drawing attention to the shifting balances in the Euro-Mediterranean region, Erdoğan added, “You cannot hang today’s laundry with yesterday’s sun. Old habits cannot guide modern policy.” He emphasized that a results-oriented, fair, and humane approach would define the new era.

Erdoğan also detailed the projects discussed with President Erhürman to strengthen cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC. He said priorities were set to enhance the TRNC’s international representation, ease the isolation imposed on its people, and jointly implement infrastructure initiatives.

Tufan Erhürman: We Are One of the Two Equal Founding Partners in Cyprus, Possessing Sovereign Rights Across the Entire Island

Taking the floor next, President Erhürman reaffirmed that the Turkish Cypriot people are one of the two equal founding partners in Cyprus and hold sovereign rights across the whole island.

“We will continue our diplomatic efforts in coordination,” Erhürman said, emphasizing the pursuit of a fair and sustainable model in which no party loses. He underscored that no model in the Eastern Mediterranean that excludes Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots can be sustainable, reiterating that the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people cannot be ignored.

“We Will Negotiate Not for the Sake of Negotiations, but for the Sake of a Solution — There Will Be No Return to the Status Quo”

Erhürman stressed that negotiations should aim at achieving a solution rather than merely maintaining a process. He said a new model must be guaranteed from the outset to prevent any return to the status quo.

He further emphasized that the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people does not rely solely on negotiations, vowing to continue their efforts through all available diplomatic channels.