Turkey Reaffirms Two-State Solution for Cyprus

Turkey has reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution for Cyprus as the United Nations gears up for talks aimed at resolving the decades-long ethnic conflict. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that pursuing alternatives would be 'a waste of time' during a press conference with Ersin Tatar, leader of the Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish stance is rooted in ensuring that Turkish Cypriots are not placed in a minority position; however, Greek Cypriots oppose this idea, viewing it as a threat to their sovereignty and a potential entrenchment of Turkish military presence on the island. The UN and EU advocate for a federated solution instead, rejecting the two-state approach. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to facilitate informal discussions in March, amid calls from Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to resume negotiations without considering a two-state arrangement. The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for regional stability and energy resource exploration in Cyprus' offshore economic zone.