Turkey’s FM calls for international recognition of Turkish Cypriot state during visit

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) during a visit to Lefkoşa on Wednesday, emphasizing collaboration and a two-state solution as keys to peace on the island, Turkish media reported.

The island has been divided since 1974, when Turkey intervened following a Greece-backed coup. The KKTC, established in 1983, is recognized only by Turkey.

Foreign Minister Fidan met today with KKTC President Ersin Tatar in Lefkoşa and later spoke at a joint press conference.

Fidan drew parallels with East Timor and South Sudan, saying international recognition could follow a similar path in Cyprus.

“The island has seen peace between the communities since 1974, with economic development on both sides,” Fidan said, noting the Greek Cypriot administration’s progress in economy and tourism.

Addressing Greek Cypriot leaders, Fidan called for “courage” in pursuing a permanent solution. “If they want to advance Cyprus in a modern, developed and peaceful way with guaranteed security, they need to implement such solutions,” he said.

Fidan advocated for closer cooperation between Turkey, Greece, the KKTC and the Greek Cypriot administration, saying it would bring “prosperity and peace” to the eastern Mediterranean region.

“Let the four parties come together. Let’s build a peaceful future in our region, both in the Aegean and the Mediterranean,” Fidan said.

He criticized what he called “radical stances” against the KKTC, citing restrictions on trade, travel and education. Instead, Fidan called for leaders who can “create greater prosperity” from cooperation on the divided island.

The Turkish foreign minister also suggested that the two communities could collaborate on energy and economic initiatives before reaching a final political solution.

The UN secretary-general plans to host an informal meeting in the coming months with the participation of the two leaders on the island of Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and the UK, the third guarantor power under a 1960 agreement, to be represented at a lower level.

The 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, signed by Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, established Cyprus as a bicommunal independent state, prohibited political or economic union with other states, and granted guarantor powers the right to intervene unilaterally to preserve its provisions, a clause invoked by Turkey during the 1974 intervention.

Cyprus talks gained new momentum in 2024, with the October 15 informal dinner in New York where the UN secretary-general hosted Turkish Cypriot leader Tatar and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.

The UN spokesman said there is no common ground for formal negotiations between the parties, citing the findings of former UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğa called on the international community to recognize the KKTC as soon as possible in his addresses to the 77th, 78th and 79th UN General Assemblies.

Turkish Cypriot leader Tatar withdrew support for a federal solution at UN-led talks in Geneva in April 2021, proposing instead a two-state solution.

Turkey supports the two-state solution, saying 50 years of federation-based talks have failed to resolve the dispute.