Fidan to Visit Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for Key Consultations
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on January 8-9 to engage in crucial discussions regarding recent developments surrounding the contested island of Cyprus.
During his visit, Minister Fidan will hold consultations with TRNC authorities on preparations for an upcoming informal meeting in Switzerland, which is to be held under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. This high-level meeting is expected to bring together TRNC President Ersin Tatar, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, and representatives from Türkiye, Greece, and the United Kingdom. The focus of the discussions will be on finding a sustainable resolution to the long-standing Cyprus dispute.
As the Turkish Guarantor State, Türkiye has consistently supported a two-state solution, advocating for the security, development, and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriot people. The Cyprus issue has gained renewed momentum in recent months, with the United Nations acknowledging that despite previous mediation efforts, a shared foundation for formal negotiations has yet to be established.
The upcoming meeting follows the informal dinner held on October 15, 2024, in New York, where the two Cypriot leaders met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. During the dinner, Guterres indicated that both sides had agreed on constructive next steps, urging them to rebuild trust and make progress toward a settlement.
In April 2021, during the informal 5+UN meeting in Geneva, the Turkish Cypriot side, led by President Tatar, withdrew support for the bi-communal and bi-zonal federation model, citing decades of failed negotiations. Instead, they proposed a two-state solution, emphasizing the need for the international community to recognize the Turkish Cypriots’ inherent rights to sovereign equality and equal international status as a prerequisite for successful negotiations.
The Cyprus dispute dates back to the early 1960s, when ethnic violence prompted Turkish Cypriots to seek safety in enclaves. In 1974, following a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at annexing the island to Greece, Türkiye intervened militarily as a guarantor power to protect the Turkish Cypriots from further persecution. This intervention led to the establishment of the TRNC in 1983.
Efforts for peace have been intermittent, including a failed 2017 initiative in Switzerland, which involved Türkiye, Greece, and the UK. In 2004, the Greek Cypriot administration entered the European Union, the same year Greek Cypriots blocked a UN-backed plan intended to resolve the dispute.
Minister Fidan’s visit underscores Türkiye’s continued commitment to advancing a fair and lasting solution for the island’s future, while reaffirming its support for the rights and security of Turkish Cypriots.
