Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said efforts to revive previously attempted Cyprus proposals—repeatedly tried with no successful outcome—are “a waste of time.” His remarks followed a cabinet meeting he attended in Ankara.
Speaking to reporters, Erdoğan said a fair and realistic solution on the island is possible “if the Greek Cypriot side displays the same constructive attitude shown by the Turkish Cypriots,” stressing that any settlement must be based on sovereign equality and equal international status.
Erdoğan also referred to his 13 November meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, noting that the two discussed joint steps toward what he called a fair, lasting, and reality-based solution in Cyprus.
Highlighting Erhürman’s recent messages to the Greek Cypriot leadership, Erdoğan said it was significant that Turkish Cypriots “will not compromise on their sovereign equality.” He reiterated that revisiting old proposals would not move the process forward.
According to Erdoğan, Ankara has consistently emphasized that the path to resolving the Cyprus issue lies in the coexistence of two states on the island.
“If the Greek Cypriot side shows the same courage, will and constructive attitude that the Turkish Cypriot side has demonstrated from the very beginning,” he said, “then a lasting, fair and realistic solution based on sovereign equality and equal international status can be found. Otherwise, no solution can be built on injustice.”
