Greece considers the unification of Turkish and Greek Cypriots the only viable solution to Cyprus’ long-standing division, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said Monday, as international efforts to resolve the issue resumed.
“Cyprus can no longer remain divided. Partition was never a solution. Unification is the only way forward for a unified Europe and a peaceful world,” Gerapetritis told reporters ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
The Mediterranean island has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup seeking union with Greece prompted Turkiye’s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots. In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was established. Over the years, peace negotiations have remained intermittent, with the latest attempt taking place in Geneva.
Gerapetritis’ remarks came hours before a two-day meeting in Geneva, where representatives from Turkiye, the TRNC, Greek Cypriots, Greece, and the United Kingdom are set to discuss the future of the island under the auspices of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Gerapetritis is scheduled to meet his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, along with Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, and British Minister of State Stephen Doughty.
Guterres will hold separate discussions with each delegation before the general meeting, which aims to revive stalled negotiations. While the talks are not expected to produce a breakthrough, they may establish a framework for further dialogue.
Turkiye, Greece, and the UK—former colonial ruler of Cyprus—participate as guarantor states. Ankara remains committed to a two-state solution based on sovereign equality, an approach championed by Tatar since his election in 2020. Turkish Cypriots argue that international recognition of their equal status is a prerequisite for any future negotiations with Greek Cypriots. Tatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have repeatedly asserted this position at international forums, including the UN.
Greek Cypriots, recognized internationally as the "Republic of Cyprus," continue to advocate for a bi-communal federation, the model that previous talks have failed to achieve. The last attempt at negotiations in this format took place in Geneva in April 2021, where Tatar proposed a six-point plan, including a UN Security Council resolution to recognize the TRNC’s sovereignty. Greek Cypriots rejected the proposal, leading to the collapse of talks.
International support for each side remains uneven. The TRNC is backed primarily by Turkiye and some Turkic states, while Greek Cypriots have the backing of the EU and most Western nations. However, Turkiye’s growing influence in the region could impact negotiations. Tatar has emphasized Ankara’s role, calling Turkiye a “homeland that will stand with us at the table in Geneva.”
Despite the longstanding divide, Tatar signaled a willingness to cooperate with Greek Cypriots on practical matters, such as energy, water, and border crossings. He suggested a “win-win formula,” including possible agreements on direct flights and trade between the TRNC and other countries.
Although Turkiye does not recognize the "Republic of Cyprus," it has recently taken steps to improve relations with Greece, the Greek Cypriots’ main ally. While Turkiye and Greece remain at odds over Cyprus, their broader rapprochement could influence the island’s peace process.
Source: Daily Sabah
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
