Erdoğan: Permanent Cyprus Solution Possible Only With Two States

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — NOVEMBER 14, 2025

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan affirmed that Turkey's position on Cyprus remains unwavering, stating that "the most realistic solution to the Cyprus issue is through the existence of two separate states" on the island.

Erdoğan made the remarks during a joint press conference with President Tufan Erhürman of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), following their meetings at the Presidential Complex. The meeting marked the sixth between the two leaders this year.

Turkey’s Stance on a Permanent Solution

President Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey and the KKTC are striving for a solution that is "fair, permanent, and consistent with the realities on the island."

He attributed the decades-long failure to reach a resolution to the Greek Cypriot side's refusal to accept the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots.

"The Greek Cypriot side does not want to share either political power or economic prosperity with the Turks on the island," Erdoğan stated. "Moreover, they never yield to it. The Greek Cypriot side sees the solution for Cyprus as reducing the Turkish Cypriots to a minority status in the partnership state they seized by force of arms in 1963."

Erdoğan noted that decisions made by the UN Security Council early in the dispute, as well as the European Union’s admission of the Greek Cypriot administration despite its rejection of the Annan Plan, share responsibility for the impasse.

Rejection of Endless Negotiations

Erdoğan underlined that Turkey will no longer engage in negotiations solely "for the sake of appearing busy," pointing to the collapse of talks in 2017 when the Greek Cypriot side abandoned the negotiating table.

"We believe that the most realistic solution to the Cyprus issue is through the existence of two states coexisting on the island," Erdoğan said, adding that Turkey maintains its stance that a solution allowing the two communities to live side-by-side in peace, prosperity, and security is possible.

He expressed hope that the Greek Cypriot side would demonstrate the same "courage and will for a solution" that the Turkish Cypriots have shown, reiterating that Turkey will maintain a constructive, results-oriented, and just approach.

Erhürman: Sovereign Rights Not Negotiable

KKTC President Erhürman began his speech by offering condolences for the 20 Turkish soldiers who died in the military cargo plane crash in Georgia. He thanked President Erdoğan for the invitation, emphasizing that the relationship between the KKTC and Turkey is exceptionally unique and special.

Erhürman strongly asserted the Turkish Cypriot position, stating that his people are one of the two equal founding partners of Cyprus and that this status is "not open to discussion, negotiation, or bargaining."

"The Turkish Cypriot people have sovereign rights over the entirety of the island of Cyprus based on this status," Erhürman declared.

He stressed that Turkey is the most important actor in any solution effort, especially given the continuous militarization in Southern Cyprus and the region. Erhürman warned that no formula that excludes or ignores Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots would be viable in the region.

The KKTC President stated that while the Turkish Cypriots retain the will for a solution, they will not return to a negotiating methodology where "political equality is subject to bargaining or quid pro quo," or one that lacks a time frame and a guarantee against returning to the status quo if the Greek Cypriot leadership walks away.

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