Two-State - Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus

Former UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw: Two-State Solution is the Only Way Forward for Cyprus

19 March, 2025

Former UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has reiterated his support for a two-state solution in Cyprus, stating that the decades-long federal negotiations have failed due to Greek Cypriot intransigence.

In The Independent, he highlights the missed opportunities for peace, the need for a new approach, and why the UK must reassess its policy.

With the UN talks in Geneva having ended, his intervention adds weight to the argument for recognising Turkish Cypriot sovereignty.

UN Cyprus Talks Will Lead Nowhere Without UK Policy Shift, Minister Warned

7 March, 2025

MSN

MSN reports that ahead of the UN Cyprus talks scheduled for March 17-18, the UK is being urged to reconsider its stance on the long-standing dispute. Concerns have been raised that without a shift in policy from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, the talks will achieve little progress.

TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu has made clear that Turkish Cypriots reject returning to failed federal negotiations and that only a two-state solution can provide lasting stability.

TRNC Foreign Minister Calls for a Fresh Approach Ahead of Geneva Talks

7 March, 2025

Daily Sabah

Daily Sabah has reported on TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu’s warning that the upcoming Geneva talks will not lead to any progress. Citing decades of failed negotiations, he made clear that Turkish Cypriots will not return to talks that continue to deny their sovereignty.

The report references his previous remarks to Reuters, where he reiterated that a federal solution is no longer an option, and only a two-state model can deliver lasting stability.

UK Minister Visits Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ahead of UN Talks

7 March, 2025

Sam Blewett, POLITICO

POLITICO reports that UK Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty is visiting Northern Cyprus for a meeting with President Ersin Tatar.

The visit comes ahead of UN discussions on March 17-18 regarding the future of the island.

The meeting signals ongoing UK engagement with both sides of the Cyprus issue as diplomatic efforts continue.

TRNC Foreign Minister: UN Talks Unlikely to Yield Progress

6 March, 2025

Catarina Demony, Reuters

Reuters reports that TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu has dismissed the likelihood of progress at the upcoming UN discussions on Cyprus, set for March 17-18.

Speaking ahead of the talks, he pointed to the decades-long failure of federal negotiations and reaffirmed that Turkish Cypriots will not accept anything less than recognition of their sovereign equality.

With no clear common ground, Ertuğruloğlu stressed that the UN must rethink its approach.

TRNC Foreign Minister Urges UK to Rethink Cyprus Policy Ahead of Geneva Talks

6 March, 2025

David Maddox, The Independent

Speaking to The Independent, TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu addressed the upcoming UN-led informal talks in Geneva, warning that negotiations will fail unless they reflect the realities on the ground.

He stressed that decades of failed federal talks prove that a new approach is needed – one that acknowledges the existence of two separate states on the island.

Ertuğruloğlu also criticised the international community’s continued recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration as the sole authority of Cyprus, despite its rejection of past peace efforts.

WATCH: Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu on LBC

4 March, 2025

Iain Dale, LBC

TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu appeared on LBC with Iain Dale to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, including the upcoming informal talks in Geneva.

He emphasised the need to move beyond outdated negotiation frameworks and recognise the reality of two states on the island.

The Foreign Minister also addressed the need to redefine the Cyprus problem, the continued isolation of Turkish Cypriots, and Türkiye’s role in supporting Northern Cyprus.

A Pragmatic Path Forward for Cyprus

3 March, 2025

Nick de Bois, Daily Sabah

In a recent op-ed for Daily Sabah, Nick de Bois, a former British Member of Parliament, discusses the longstanding division of Cyprus and proposes a pragmatic approach to resolve the issue.

De Bois reflects on his personal connection to the island, noting that his elder brother was born in Lefkoşa (Nicosia) in 1956 while his father served in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He recalls the horrors inflicted on British servicemen by EOKA, a Greek Cypriot right-wing nationalist guerrilla organization that began an armed campaign during that period.

The author highlights the upcoming dialogues set to resume in Switzerland, aiming to address the island’s most challenging issues. He points out that while the United Nations and international actors have long championed a federal solution, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), with Türkiye’s support, advocates for a two-state framework.

De Bois suggests that exploring this fresh perspective could offer a sustainable path forward, emphasizing the importance of considering new ideas for the benefit of future generations unfamiliar with the events of 1974.

JD Vance is Right About the EU – Especially in Cyprus

25 February, 2025

Marco Giannangeli, Express

A new article in the Express explores U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s criticism of the European Union and its flawed approach to governance, particularly in relation to Cyprus. Vance has highlighted the EU’s tendency to impose political and economic decisions that serve elite interests while sidelining those of ordinary citizens. Nowhere is this clearer than in Cyprus.

Despite Turkish Cypriots overwhelmingly supporting reunification under the 2004 Annan Plan, the EU rewarded the Greek Cypriot side with membership, even though they rejected the proposal. Turkish Cypriots were left isolated, with promises of direct trade and flights never fulfilled. Since then, Greek Cypriot leadership has used EU membership as a tool to block engagement with Northern Cyprus, ensuring the continued political and economic marginalisation of Turkish Cypriots.

This article underscores the hypocrisy of the EU, which claims to promote unity and fairness yet continues to reinforce division in Cyprus. It also raises important questions about how global players like the U.S. should approach the Cyprus issue moving forward.

How energy cooperation could help solve the Cyprus dispute

14 February, 2025

James Price, CityAM

In an article for CityAM, James Price highlights how Britain’s net-zero policies are increasing energy costs and reducing economic productivity. However, a pragmatic approach to energy cooperation could offer solutions – both at home and abroad.

One key opportunity lies in Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Encouraging both sides to work together on energy production and distribution could not only enhance regional energy security but also help ease long-standing political tensions on the island.

By fostering energy collaboration, the UK could support a mutually beneficial framework that strengthens economic ties between both states while addressing disputes through practical cooperation.

Tag: Two-State