“Let’s start with the allegations regarding the United Nations Plan for Cyprus. The Turkish Ministry of Defense has responded to these reports—a response that clearly advocates a two-state solution. The spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Defense emphasized that no initiative that ignores this fundamental fact will reflect the will of the Turkish Cypriot people, nor will it provide lasting stability in the region.” ^Haber

With this statement by the spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Defense, Ankara is torpedoing any initiative on the Cyprus issue, especially at a time when Maria Olgin is in New York to discuss the next steps with the UN Secretary-General. Out of… nowhere, the Cyprus issue began making headlines in the Turkish press, with the newspaper Sozcu reporting on a proposed solution, just a few hours before Olgin’s meeting with Guterres.

“There is a United Nations plan for Cyprus. According to the plan, Varosha and Morphou, which have been brought back into the territorial negotiations, will be handed over to the Greek Cypriots.In exchange, the Turkish side will join the European Union, the embargoes will be lifted, and a federal parliament will be established.” ^Sozcu

The Turkish reaction appears to have two objectives: to allay the concerns of nationalists in Turkey, as well as those of a large percentage of Turkish Cypriots, but also to send the message that Erdogan will engage in major negotiations to reach a compromise on security and guarantees.

Panic in the occupied territories

The reports and news stories have caused unrest in the occupied territories.
Tufan Erhurman himself has rushed to assure everyone that he will not “sell out” the Turkish Cypriots

.First of all, I assume no one doubts that any idea opposed by us Turkish Cypriots—as well as by Turkey, our guarantor—will not be implemented, right?Beyond that, if the goal is to provoke us with baseless claims, so they can then assert that we don’t want a solution, we will not fall victim to these games.” ^{Tufan Erhurman, Turkish Cypriot leader}

^. Regarding inadequate preparation, Erhurman is echoed by former Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami, who warns against the “Taiwanization” of the occupied territories, while another former negotiator, Kutret Ozerai, hinted that everything is being done with an eye toward the 2028 presidential election and Christodoulides’s new

candidacy.”“There has never been a President of the Republic of Cyprus, throughout history, who has placed personal political gain above the national issue.” ^{Konstantinos Letympiotis, Government Spokesperson}

Maria Olgin is meeting tomorrow with António Guterres, having already held talks with Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo.

See the report by Giorgos Georgiadis