Erdogan reaffirms support for two-state solution in Cyprus

On November 9, 2026, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his country's commitment to a two-state solution in Cyprus, asserting that the reality of two distinct peoples and two separate states on the island must be accepted. Speaking upon his return from Azerbaijan on November 8, Erdogan rejected past negotiation models as a waste of time and energy, calling on the international community to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and establish political, diplomatic, and economic ties with it.

These statements were made during a critical period for the Cyprus issue, coinciding with a high-level tripartite meeting scheduled for November 9 in the presence of a UN envoy. The meeting involves Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. Erdogan emphasized that Turkey will not leave the Turkish Cypriots unsupported and maintains that the current state of affairs is not a viable path forward.

This development underscores the continued friction between Ankara's diplomatic stance and the ongoing UN-backed efforts to resolve the long-standing Cyprus dispute. The international community has yet to respond collectively to Erdogan's latest appeal for recognition of the breakaway state.