Erdogan calls for talks between 'two states' in Cyprus

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reaffirmed Türkiye's backing for a two-state solution on the divided island of Cyprus, declaring that any future talks must recognize the Turkish Cypriot state's equality, Report informs via Hürriyet Daily News.

“If there is to be a new negotiation process, it will not be between two communities, but between two states with sovereign equality," Erdogan said at the inauguration of a new presidential complex and a parliamentary building in Turkish Cyprus.

The new government complex was constructed by Türkiye's state housing agency TOKİ over a period of nearly three years. Erdogan and Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar jointly attended the opening ceremony.

"Unless the unjust isolation that Turkish Cypriots are subjected to ends, and a fair, permanent, sustainable solution that is in line with the realities of the island is found, there can be no question of our addressing the Greek Cypus, conducting trade or allowing them to use our ports," Erdogan said.

He described the two-state model as the “common vision” of Türkiye and Turkish Cyprus.

"Those who envy Turkish Cyprus' developing economy, strengthening infrastructure, increasing peace and rising visibility in the international community are doing their best [to prevent this]," he said.