Ustel welcomes Fidan’s renewed backing for two-state Cyprus settlement

Nicosia, Cyprus. The north’s ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel on Monday welcomed Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s renewed support for a two-state settlement of the Cyprus problem, saying Ankara’s position gave Turkish Cypriots “trust and strength”.

Ustel said Fidan’s comments concerned the rights, future and political will of Turkish Cypriots and reaffirmed Turkey’s position on the Cyprus issue.

Turkey’s position

Ustel highlighted Fidan’s reference to the “sovereign, equal and independent stance” of Turkish Cypriots and his call for a two-state settlement.

He said the remarks also referred to what he described as political inequality faced by Turkish Cypriots and indicated that “a new page” should be opened on the Cyprus problem.

Fidan’s remarks

Fidan made the comments in an interview with Turkey’s Anadolu Agency over the weekend. He said Ankara considered a two-state settlement the “ideal solution” because it believed the Republic would “not accept equal power sharing” with Turkish Cypriots.

“We have always seen that the Greek Cypriot side will never agree to equal power-sharing, authority-sharing, prosperity-sharing, or state-sharing with the Turkish Cypriots,” Fidan said.

He said the Republic’s international recognition, European Union membership and representation at the United Nations made it unlikely, in his view, that Greek Cypriots would agree to share state power with Turkish Cypriots.

Recognition and restrictions

Fidan also criticised restrictions affecting the north, saying the Republic used its international recognition to obstruct benefits for Turkish Cypriots in areas including trade and transportation.

He reaffirmed Turkey’s refusal to recognise the Republic as representing the whole island, saying: “If you do not recognise the Turkish Cypriots’ rights, I will not recognise your statehood”.

Fidan said Turkey’s preferred outcome was for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to have “their own states” coexisting peacefully and contributing to prosperity and regional stability.