The Directorate of Communications organised a panel titled "The Key to a Solution in Cyprus: Two Sovereign States with Equal Status" in Lefkosa (Nicosia), the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Addressing the programme's participants via video message, the Presidency's Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, remarked that the Cyprus issue is not merely a foreign policy issue for Türkiye but also a national cause and a heartfelt matter of brotherhood.
Head of Communications Altun noted that Turkish Cypriots had been subjected to oppression, exclusion, and violent policies as part of the Greek Cypriot side’s ENOSIS dream and ethnic cleansing plans and that they had endured great suffering.
Recalling that, after all political and diplomatic avenues had been exhausted, the Republic of Türkiye exercised its right as a guarantor under international law and launched the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20, 1974, Head of Communications Altun emphasised that this operation marked a turning point for the Turkish Cypriot people, opening the doors to peace and stability.
Underlining that, in the years since the Cyprus Peace Operation, the Turkish Cypriot people have approached all efforts for a solution based on federation with sincerity and have consistently maintained their pro-peace stance, Head of Communications Altun pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side, with its uncompromising attitude, has continuously dismissed the Turkish Cypriots’ will and goodwill.
Noting that in 2004, although the Turkish side voted “in favour” of the Annan Plan with 65 per cent of the vote, the Greek side sabotaged the peace once again by voting “against” with 76 per cent of the vote, Head of Communications Altun stated that despite this obvious fact, the European Union almost rewarded the sabotage of peace by unilaterally admitting the Greeks to the Union.
Underscoring that it is time to discuss a new solution for Cyprus, Head of Communications Altun stated that Türkiye has resolutely advocated for the vision of a two-state solution by explicitly asserting that the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people must be recognised.
"Türkiye will persist in providing all necessary support"
In this regard, Head of Communications Altun said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's call for the international community to recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly was of great importance and added:
"During his visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on May 3, 2025, our President reaffirmed that we will continue to intensify our efforts for the recognition of the TRNC and that we will never leave the TRNC alone or isolated.
The TRNC Republic Complex, which was inaugurated with the participation of our President during this visit, stands as a symbol of the independence and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots, as well as their legitimate and enduring presence on the island."
Stating that hosting TEKNOFEST, a significant manifestation of Türkiye's national technology move, in the sister country marked another aspect of Türkiye's support for the TRNC, Head of Communications Altun emphasised that it was worth noting that the TRNC was an integral part of the Turkic World at the Informal Summit of the Heads of State of the Organisation of Turkic States held in Budapest on May 20 and 21, 2025.
Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots share a deep-rooted history, an unwavering will, and an honourable future in this region, Head of Communications Altun added that the Republic of Türkiye regards this just cause of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as its own and will persist in providing all necessary support.
Head of Communications Altun thanks President Tatar of TRNC
Head of Communications Altun thanked President Ersin Tatar of the TRNC for his support of the panel titled "The Key to a Solution in Cyprus: Two Sovereign States with Equal Status" through a post on his social media account.
In his post, Head of Communications Altun said:
"Mr President,
I would like to express my gratitude for your attendance and robust support at the panel titled 'The Key to a Solution in Cyprus: Two Sovereign States with Equal Status', organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications."