Turkish Cypriot leadership rejects President Christodoulides' call for peace talks

The foreign ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has dismissed recent statements by Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides regarding a "window of opportunity" for a settlement. The TRNC authorities labeled the President's remarks as a public relations effort aimed at misleading the international community. They argued that the federal model of reunification has failed after half a century, blaming the Greek Cypriot side for alleged intransigence. The Turkish Cypriot side stated that negotiations can only proceed if their demand for sovereign equality and equal international status is recognized. They maintain that a future agreement must be based on the coexistence of two independent, sovereign states. Furthermore, the authorities rejected any pressure to restart talks before the end of the UN Secretary-General's term, asserting that the necessary conditions for dialogue do not currently exist. The UN has previously called on both parties to propose new ideas for resolving the long-standing division of the island.