This article was originally published in English
On the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus, the Turkish president rejects the UN plan for a federated Cyprus and reaffirms his commitment to a two-state peace agreement.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dampened hopes of a UN-backed reunification of Cyprus, reaffirming his support for a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots have rejected as a dead end.
Speaking at an event in the north of the country to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion that divided the island along ethnic lines, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ruled out any resumption of talks based on the Annan plan, which proposed the creation of a united Republic of Cyprus, a federation of two states.
The plan was put to a referendum in 2004. It was approved by 65% of Turkish Cypriots in the north, but more than 75% of Greek Cypriots in the south rejected the proposal.
Although the Turkish president had already rejected the UN federation plan, Greece and the Greek Cypriots had hoped that he would soften his position.
“You cannot bathe twice in the same water. You will not achieve anything by ignoring the facts on the island. We believe that a federal solution is not possible in Cyprus”Mr Erdoğan said.
His remarks could further complicate efforts by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.
The Turkish leader’s comments were echoed by Ersin Tatar, the current president of the territory known in Turkey as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
“The dominant and imposing attitude of the unchanging Greek Cypriot mentality has caused all negotiation processes to fail,” he said, referring to talks that have been stalled since 2017.
“The Greek side is still insisting on a solution, under the name of a federal solution, in which the Turkish Cypriots will be a minority and which will make Cyprus a unitary structure within the European Union. This solution aims to destroy our state and our sovereignty by demanding the withdrawal of Turkey as a guarantor and right of intervention and the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from Cyprus. It is therefore impossible for us to accept these objectives.”stressed this pro-Turkish dignitary.
Across the UN-controlled buffer zone, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said he had received positive messages from the UN about resolving the Cyprus problem, but he lashed out at Ankara for what he called the “violation of the human rights of the Cypriot people”.
“If Turkey really wants security and stability conditions to prevail in the region, if Turkey wants to get closer to the EU, with benefits for Turkey itself, if Turkey wants to participate in the efforts of the regional states for regional stability and security, Turkey knows very well the path to follow to achieve this.”he hammered home.
The anniversary of the Turkish invasion is being experienced differently on both sides of the border.
In the Turkish-controlled north, This is a festive event for those who see the invasion as a salvation. in the face of the domination of the Greek-speaking majority.
In the south, however, July 20 began with the wailing of sirens commemorating the air raids at daybreak, a solemn day marking what Greek Cypriots consider to be a disaster that left thousands dead or missing et displaced a quarter of the Greek Cypriot population.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the island in response to a coup by the Greek military junta that overthrew the legitimate government of Cyprus. Turkey maintains around 35,000 troops in northern Cyprus.
The northern part, which is home to a majority of Turkish Cypriots and Turkish settlers, was self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983a territory recognized only by Turkey.
Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 and Brussels considers the whole island as EU territory, Turkish Cypriots are also considered EU citizens.