Turkish Cypriot leadership rejects territorial concessions and reaffirms two-state policy

In June 2026, Turkish Cypriot officials responded to reports in the Greek Cypriot press regarding potential new United Nations initiatives on the Cyprus problem. Prime Minister Unal Ustel stated that the administration rejects any model involving territorial concessions or the removal of Turkish security guarantees. Parliament Speaker Ziya Ozturkler emphasized that Turkey would remain an active guarantor, asserting that a sustainable agreement is only possible based on sovereign equality and a two-state solution. Meanwhile, Republican Turkish Party leader Tufan Erhurman expressed support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s efforts but cautioned against participating in open-ended negotiation processes. Erhurman criticized parts of the public discourse in the south as baseless, noting that the Turkish Cypriot side has not received any proposals of significant maturity. Officials emphasized that any resolution regarding property must involve compensation or exchange rather than land adjustment. The leadership maintained that their positions remain unchanged and aligned with those of Turkey.